The 28-year-old Ontario teacher had peddled more than 20,000 kilometres from China to Nicaragua. A group of local boys on bikes watched the stranger approach, and fell in beside Quattrocchi as he headed down the last hill.

Quattrocchi explained that he’d been riding his bicycle around the world to raise funds for new school rooms, to help kids just like them. The bikes skidded to a stop. The boys stared at their new companion in amazement.

“We really can make a big difference, each and every one of us,” Mark Quattrochi

For two years, Quattrocchi was on a journey spanning five continents and 40 countries. His initial goal was to raise $10,000 to build a school room in rural China, where he’d once worked as a teacher. He connected with our organization, set up a fundraising page and set off. Soon, donations started pouring in.

“When I was at my lowest, I would get a donation from a school back in Canada. It really did keep the wheels turning and kept me focused on something good on the horizon,” he told us.

The wanderlust fundraiser is in good company in his desire to cross boundaries and connect with issues closest to his heart.

Benoit Lebel of Shawinigan, Que. started walking across Canada in March to raise funds for the Children’s Wish Foundation, fulfilling a childhood desire to see the whole country. Chris Cull is completing his second bike ride from coast to coast to alert more Canadians to the dangers of opioid addiction. The activist from Bowmanville, Ont. got hooked on painkillers about a decade ago and lost his house, his job and his partner as a result.

Then there’s Gwich’in First Nation native Brad Firth (who is also known as Caribou Legs.) He is running along the Trans-Canada Highway from Vancouver to St. John’s in an epic effort to get more people to pay attention to the issue of missing and murdered indigenous women.

Quattrocchi says by the time he had biked through China, he had raised enough to build a school room. Rather than stopping at the border, he plotted a new route that allowed him to visit all of the other communities in India, Kenya, Ecuador and Nicaragua where he wanted to build school rooms.

“In El Trapiche, it blew me away that one kid had to ride up that 10-kilometre hill to get to his high school. They’re trying to build a high school in the community so kids don’t have to make the crazy ride every day,” he says.

Throughout his travels, Quattrocchi kept a log of acts of kindness he experienced. People would see him struggling on the side of the road and invite him home for a meal. He says their generosity was humbling. “If I was speeding by in an SUV, that kind of thing wouldn’t happen. The bicycle really is the equalizer.”

Quattrocchi believes we all have a dream that will connect us with a cause and the world around us. It’s an idea he’s cultivated over thousands of hours on the road alone and through the chance meetings that touched him to the core.

In El Trapiche, for instance, Quattrocchi met with a women’s group that told him about the bracelet-making project they had started. Most put the income toward their children’s education. One young woman was saving to go back to school herself.

For this wanderlust fundraiser, the journey isn’t over. He’s taking his message to schools in the Ottawa area.

“The world is not this huge, scary place that it’s sometimes portrayed to be,” says Quattrocchi. “We really can make a big difference, each and every one of us.”

Craig and Marc Kielburger are the co-founders of the WE movement, which includes WE Charity, ME to WE Social Enterprise and WE Day

]]>http://o.canada.com/life/road-warriors/feed0mark_qucraigkielburgerNorwegian bringing Joy to Chinese marketshttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/norwegian-bringing-joy-to-chinese-markets
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/norwegian-bringing-joy-to-chinese-markets#respondFri, 04 Mar 2016 04:00:08 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=727388]]>Norwegian’s newest Breakaway Plus Class ship is heading straight to China in 2017 and this week the cruise line gave it a name — Norwegian Joy.

Norwegian is late to China but CEO Frank Del Rio wanted time to make sure it was right fit.

“After closely studying the Chinese cruise market for several years, we wanted to be clear about what we will deliver to our guests on this spectacular vessel,” said Del Rio. “Norwegian Joy will provide the same sense of freedom and flexibility found on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships, but with resort-style vacation experiences and amenities designed specifically with the Chinese guests in mind.”

With a capacity of 3,900 passengers, the Joy will make its debut in China next summer (2017). The ship is designed specifically for the Chinese traveller, with cuisine and onboard experiences that cater to the unique vacation preferences of the clientele.

“Chinese guests will discover an unmatched quality of service, cuisine, entertainment and retail experience onboard Norwegian Joy that is simply not available in the China market today,” said Senior Vice-President and Managing Director of China, David Herrera.

There is obviously a lot more to be announced about this ship and details are being promised in the months ahead. That includes the ship’s homeport, accommodations, dining features and entertainment style.

All for now.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/norwegian-bringing-joy-to-chinese-markets/feed0Joy-rendering copyphilreimerCruise newsmaker for today — Carnival!http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-newsmaker-for-today-carnival
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-newsmaker-for-today-carnival#respondTue, 01 Mar 2016 04:00:48 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=727342]]>Today’s blog is all about Carnival, starting with the news that the newest ship is getting the finishing touches in Italy and will be ready to sail by the end of April.

Carnival Vista will have some unique restaurants and accommodation, and it’s aimed at the “fun family” demographic. I can’t wait to get on board.

………..

Carnival has a new drink package that includes some pricier alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees, all at the original price.

Cheers (the new version) is what it’s called and it’s being offered on Carnival ships starting today. The package price stays at $49.95 and that, keep in mind, is per-person, NOT per-stateroom if you book before the cruise. If not, add $5.

The package’s ceiling on drinks had been $10. That has now raised to include drinks which cost more…such as Grey Goose VX vodka, Chivas Royal Salute Scotch whiskey and Patron Anejo tequila. Lots of new offerings are also available in the non-alcoholic category.

Again, remember that price is per-day, and no more than 15 drinks of any variety must be used in the 24-hour day.

………..

Meanwhile, I’m not sure if this is a sign of a slowing cruise economy in China but Carnival Cruise Lines is delaying the entry of ships into that market.

Carnival is pretty smart about where it places ships, but at this point I can only read between the lines. Originally, the Carnival Miracle was heading to China next year — now it’s going to stay in the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii through 2018, when it will move to China followed by the Carnival Splendor one year later.

Carnival Corporation has lots of capacity in the China market with its Princess and Costa cruise lines.

All for now.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-newsmaker-for-today-carnival/feed0VistaphilreimerTitanic sinks again — just a proposal this timehttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/titanic-sinks-again-but-just-a-proposal
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/titanic-sinks-again-but-just-a-proposal#respondThu, 25 Feb 2016 04:00:01 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=727198]]>Media reports out of Australia and first reported on this side of the water by cruisebusiness.com are that the plan to build a replica of the Titanic II is dead in the water, so to speak. The original Titanic met its fate and sank in April 1912.

“According to a report in The Australian, one worker stated that [the new] ship was just a proposal. It’s never been carried out and the project has never launched,” was part of the report posted on a website called ausleisure.com, referring to lack of progress at the CSC Jinling Shipyard in China, where the ship was to have been built.

The project was a brainchild of Clive Palmer, an Australian businessman. He set up a company called Blue Star Line and first intended to introduce Titanic II in 2016. However, the introduction was later postponed to 2018. It was recently estimated to be at least four years behind schedule.

Blue Star Line commissioned Deltamarin, the Finnish consultant naval architects to produce drawings of the planned vessel, in which modern day safety and technical requirements had been taken into account. These resulted in a design with a gross tonnage of about 65,000, compared to the 46,329 gross tonnes of the 1912 vessel.

In the autumn of 2013, tank tests were conducted in Germany using a model built on the basis of the design developed by Deltamarin.

Blue Star Line has not commented on the media reports regarding the collapse of the Titanic II project. It last updated its website in May 2014. We should have known then that the project was dead.

I don’t think there was a lot of buzz around the building of Titanic II and it’s probably well and good that we won’t see it anytime soon.

—–

When posting fares in Canadian funds, most cruise lines increase their U.S. rates by 10 to 30 per cent.

Not Azamara Club Cruises, which now has a sale for certain destinations in which fares are CANADIAN DOLLARS AT PAR. It’s available until Monday (February 29).

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/titanic-sinks-again-but-just-a-proposal/feed0Titanic IIphilreimerPlenty of new-builds on the cruising horizonhttp://o.canada.com/news/725952
http://o.canada.com/news/725952#respondSat, 09 Jan 2016 04:00:46 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=725952]]>The building boom going on in the cruise business just turned into an explosion. Carnival Corporation’s building four more mega ships for three of its cruise lines.

The biggest cruise company in the world, with over 100 ships, will make sure it stays there with this new deal. Three ships will be 135,500 gross tonnes and carry 4,200 passengers (double capacity).

The first of the lucky lines in Carnival’s family is Costa Asia. While two lines will get one ship each, Costa will get two. This line has been prominent in the Asian market since the beginning of the big growth spurt in China. Obviously, the ships will be built for the market with restaurants to suit Chinese tastes and casinos much larger than on ships sailing from North America.

The third ship is going to P&O Australia. And why not? That market has a 20 per cent annual growth over the past decade.

The fourth ship will go to Princess, joining Royal, Regal and yet-to-come Majestic in the Royal Princess Class, and will carry 3,600 passengers. If you’re planning to sail on the Majestic Princess, you’ll have a short window. After cruising the Mediterranean in the spring of 2017, she’ll leave for China.

All four ships will be launched in 2019 and 2020. Carnival Corporation has 17 ships scheduled to be delivered between now and 2020. Expect a lot of detail on how these ships will differ in the markets they serve. The Princess ship will carry many features currently on their Royal Princess Class ships but there’s still plenty of time to add more innovations.

MSC, a European line, is stepping up to be a big part of the Caribbean market, with two ships and a

MSC Seaside, which will be operating full-time in the Caribbean starting in 2017 [MSC Cruises]

private island in the Bahamas. Seaside is the name of MSC’s new-build and it will be operating full-time in the Caribbean starting in 2017. The cruises just went on sale.

Meanwhile, MSC’s Divina is in the Caribbean this year and that’s where the kids come in. On sailings until April, kids 11 years and under sail free if sharing a cabin as the third and fourth passengers. After April, kids 12 and under sail free on select sailings.

After testing a for-fee room service on three ships, the policy is now being implemented throughout the entire fleet this week. You’ll still be able to get the cold items on the menu without a charge but for the hot specialties, prices will range from $1.50 to $6.

——————

And finally, check with a travel agent first, but Norwegian Cruise Line just upped the number of cancellation days and deposits you require for its cruises. One example is on Christmas or New Year’s cruises — final payment is 120 days before departure. That’s almost four months out!

If you look back at portsandbows.com to December 17, you’ll see I posted a comparison with Carnival.

Phil’s Pick of the Week

Princess going big on British Isles cruises, and I have a good one leaving from Southampton…

Departs: June 1
Duration: 12 days

Edinburgh ands its famous castle, one of the Scottish ports on this week’s Phil’s Picks [Visit Scotland]

There are some perks, so check with a cruise agent or go to princess.com.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/news/725952/feed0Majestic PrincessphilreimerMSC Seaside, which will be operating full-time in the Caribbean starting in 2017Edinburgh ands its famous castle, one of the Scottish ports on this week’s Phil’s PicksCarnival Corporation shocks industry with giant ship orderhttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/725885
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/725885#respondMon, 04 Jan 2016 04:00:11 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=725885]]>Carnival Corporation has now opened the curtain on which of its cruise lines will get the new mega ships that are part of the four-ship order with Italian cruise builder Fincantieri.

Costa Cruises is the big winner, getting a big boost in its Asia strategy. P&O Australia gets its first new ship. Princess is the North American winner with a sister ship for the Royal Princess Class.

The Costa ships, for delivery in 2019 and 2020, will be 135,500 gross tons and carry 4,200 passengers each. The order means the Costa Group has eight vessels in the pipeline with a total 45,000 berths.

Michael Thamm, CEO of the Costa Group, said that just like last year’s Diadema – the last Costa ship built by Fincantieri — the Costa Asia ships will feature an innovative, Italian-style design and (might I add?) a giant casino.

“In addition, this new agreement will allow us to continue to significantly build the Chinese cruise market, which will become the second largest in the world at the end of the decade,” Thamm added.

The same size of ship is going to Australia, joining a fleet that was expanded in November with the addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden (formerly Holland America’s Ryndam and Statendam). At 4,200 passengers, this will be the largest in P&O’s Aussie fleet and with 20 per cent yearly growth in “shrimp on the barbie country” she is badly needed.

The Princess ship will be the fourth in the Royal Princess Class that began with the Royal Princess in 2013. In 2017 the third ship, Majestic Princess, is going…guess where? Yup, China, where it will be customized for the China market.

All Royal Princess Class ships have a capacity for 3,560 passengers in staterooms which are 80 per cent balconies.

You can probably expect the fourth ship in the class to be based in Europe and the Caribbean, to step up the new-ship innovations and, if those innovations are successful, expect them to be slipped into the Royal and Regal Princesses.

By the way this is costing these cruise lines $2.5 billion. Remember the time when a billion dollars was a lot to spend? Not so much any more.

All for now.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/725885/feed0DiademaphilreimerCruise news and views you can usehttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-news-and-views-you-can-use-19
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-news-and-views-you-can-use-19#commentsWed, 14 Oct 2015 03:00:50 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=712277]]>Yesterday’s blog was all about how Norwegian and Princess are putting a new ship into China in 2017. Today’s lead item is about how Carnival is sending a new ship to China, also in 2017.

The cruise line’s president, Christine Duffy, would not say in an interview which ship is going to China, other than to say it won’t be the new Carnival Vista, due to enter service next spring first in Europe and then in the Caribbean.

“Given that Carnival is the brand that started it all with modern-day cruising and is such an iconic brand and well-known not only in North America but around the world,” Duffy said, “we think that this announcement reinforces the level of opportunity all of the cruise industry sees in China.”

Carnival Corporation, owner of the cruise line (and nine others), will send another ship from German brand Aida in 2017. By then, with Costa and Princess in the mix, four new Corporation ships will be in China.

“We’ve been on a mission to improve our cabin experience for several years and Space Bins are part of a $150-million investment we’ve made to make flying more comfortable and enjoyable,” said Sangita Woerner, Alaska’s Vice-President of Marketing.

When open, Space Bins sit two inches lower than the pivot bins currently installed above the seats of Alaska’s Next-Generation 737 aircraft. Each bin can hold six standard-sized, 9x14x22-inch carry-on bags, up from the four in the pivot bins. By 2017, Alaska will have 69 planes, or 46 per cent of its fleet, outfitted with the larger bins, according to the airline.

I hope, when the time comes, that Seat Guru will let us know which planes have them.

I’m tired of hearing the flight attendants — who are usually safely in the front or back of the plane — admonishing us for not moving quickly enough to get to our seat as we hunt for space for legitimate carry-on luggage. Airlines created the problem by charging for checking bags and I’m glad to see they’re trying to fix it.

————

Royal Caribbean started full Broadway productions on its mega ships. Princess has a new twist: creating a musical.

The man behind it has the chops to make it work. Stephen Schwartz — the musical man behind Pippin, Godspell, Wicked — is the creator of Magic To Do. He has collected a bushel of awardsfor his work, including an Oscar, Grammy and Tony. Featured in this revue is a song entitled A Little Magic created exclusively for the show.

Celebrity Cruises is spending millions to renovate two Millennium Class ships, the Infinity and the Summit.

Both will be in dry-dock for a couple of weeks, Infinity from tomorrow until October 29th, Summit from February 27 to March 12.

Both 2,100-passenger ships will have their Penthouse and Royal Suites overhauled, with workers installing new fixtures, furniture, carpets, drapes and linens.

“We want these suites to be so luxurious and comfortable that it’s difficult for guests to leave at the end of their vacation,” Celebrity President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said in a statement. “We want the entire ship to turn heads.”

For those of us not in suite class, the ships will have a new “rooftop terrace” outdoor venue that will feature furniture, a film screen and stereo surround sound.

“The Rooftop Terrace is a brand-new way to enjoy the great outdoors on a modern luxury vacation,” added Lutoff-Perlo. “The popularity of our Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing entertainment and food.”

Celebrity is also changing a couple of restaurants and giving them new names.

The Infinity’s SS United States is going to be converted to a Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse known as Tuscan Grille. The same name and treatment applies to Normandie on the Summit.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-news-and-views-you-can-use-19/feed1roof top terracephilreimerMore ships being built for Chinese markethttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/more-ships-being-built-for-chinese-market
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/more-ships-being-built-for-chinese-market#respondTue, 13 Oct 2015 03:00:26 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=710293]]>“Times they are a changing…”

There was a time when every ship built by a North American-based cruise line would sail in this hemisphere for at least part of the year. That will no longer be the case. While the vast majority of ships continue to cruise in North America waters, the China Sea is getting more populated in the ever-expanding world of cruise destinations.

Both Princess and Norwegian have announced that their new-builds for 2017 are heading directly to China.

Majestic Princess will also bear a Chinese name, Sheng Shi Gong Zhu Hao, which in Chinese means “Grand World” or “Grand Spirit.” Majestic is to be a sister ship to the Royal Princess and Regal Princess.

Majestic Princess will feature much of what we see on Royal and Regal, including the glass-floored SeaWalk, the Princess Live studio and Movies Under the Stars. I expect, like the others, it will also have a much larger casino and a change in the restaurants.

Princess will unveil additional details about the ship and the itineraries but there’s no timeline for that announcement.

Meanwhile, Norwegian will also base one of its Breakaway Plus ships in China in 2017. Originally named Bliss, the ship will take on a new character and name suited for the Asian market.

According to CEO Frank Del Rio, the ship — under construction — is designed specifically for the Chinese market with accommodations, cuisine and on-board experiences that cater to the unique vacation preferences of the Chinese.

The new ship is the second in the Breakaway Plus class. The first — the Escape — is due this month. It will carry 4,248 passengers. Both will be followed by identical ships in 2018 and 2019. There are lots of

The Norwegian Escape, getting a new sister with a bilingual name

new features on Escape but the one that will be welcomed by solo travellers will be the 82 studio cabins. With their own studio area and lounge, they will only be accessible to passengers travelling solo.

Families have their own exclusivity with 40 mini-suites located near Splash Academy, 172 family balconies close to the children’s activity areas and 48 oceanview cabins that can accommodate up to five.

As for restaurants, Parrotheads will be happy to know the first Jimmy Buffett restaurant at sea, Margaritaville, will be complimentary and will feature such Buffet favourites as “cheeseburgers in paradise.”

There is plenty more about the Bliss that I’ll be featuring in this space.

All for now.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/more-ships-being-built-for-chinese-market/feed0Majestic PrincessphilreimerThe Norwegian Escape, getting a new sister with a bilingual nameMajor refurbishing for Queen Mary 2http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/major-refurbishing-for-queen-mary-2
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/major-refurbishing-for-queen-mary-2#respondWed, 16 Sep 2015 03:00:11 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=687481]]>The Queen Mary 2, the iconic flagship for Cunard, has a loyal following…one that likes to see things stay the same. But times are changing and the Queen Mary is changing with them.

When the prestigious ship goes into dry-dock, May 27 through June 21 next year, it will be a major refurbishing with design changes. Almost a month is a lengthy overhaul, so that means we can expect quite a different look when she returns.

Details are going to be parsed out in dribs and drabs to those of us in the cruise media, from what I understand. What I do know is that Queen Mary 2 will gain 15 new single cabins and 30 Britannia Club cabins during the re-fit and that the very popular kennels will be expanded to cater to the high demand of dog lovers.

Yes, you can bring your family pooch on the Queen Mary.

Because a major design company is being used and because thousands of guests have been asked what they would like to see, I expect many new features and changes for this venerable ship.

All of them will trickle out to you as they do to me.

* * *

When I think of Hyundai, it’s cars — and I pass its dealerships every day I’m in town.

Hyundai actually has a merchant marine division.

When cruising the world, you will see massive ships carrying cargo all over the world with the word “Hyundai” on the side. MSC is another member of the merchant marine world that started a successful cruise line.

So Hyundai wanting to get into the merchant marine business shouldn’t be a surprise. Word is filtering out that Hyundai may be in the market for a cruise ship — a second-hand one — that can be refurbished and redesigned for use in Asia.

We won’t see it in our waters. Preliminary plans indicate the ship would sail back and forth between China and South Korea.

Hyundai thought about this in 1996 by signing an agreement with Carnival to collaborate on cruising. However, that agreement folded quickly without any progress on a relationship.

Buy a car, get a cruise?

Just a thought.

All for now.

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]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/major-refurbishing-for-queen-mary-2/feed0Queen MaryphilreimerCanadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan up for World Cup Young Player Awardhttp://o.canada.com/sports/canadian-defender-kadeisha-buchanan-up-for-world-cup-young-player-award
Thu, 02 Jul 2015 19:14:53 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=682833&preview_id=682833]]>TORONTO — Teenage Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan has been chosen one of three finalists for the Hyundai Young Player Award at the Women’s World Cup.

The 19-year-old centre back from Brampton, Ont., is up against Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg and Chinese midfielder Jiali Tang.

Buchanan, who attends the University of West Virginia, anchored a Canadian backline that conceded just three goals in five games.

Hegerberg scored three goals in the tournament, while Tang helped pull the strings in the China attack.

The winner, as chosen by FIFA’s technical study group, will be announced after Sunday’s final in Vancouver between the U.S. and Japan.

Fifty-four players born after Jan 1, 1995, were eligible for the award. They were rated according to the following criteria: exceptional skill level, youthful and refreshing playing style, creativity and inspiration, tactical maturity and efficiency, fan recognition through entertaining performances, role model for young players, positive attitude and fair play.

Australia’s Caitlin Foord won the award in 2011.

]]>Kadeisha BuchananthecanadianpressCarrie Serwetnyk: Canada needs extra jolt at World Cuphttp://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/carrie-serwetnyk-canada-needs-extra-jolt-at-world-cup
http://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/carrie-serwetnyk-canada-needs-extra-jolt-at-world-cup#respondMon, 15 Jun 2015 16:38:00 +0000http://o.canada.com?p=680689&preview_id=680689]]>MONTREAL — TransLink riders, it’s time to count your blessings — we have it good. In Montreal, a trip to the Big O appeared to be a skip and jump by Metro. That is until we bought our tickets. They had one machine and one human. The line was long.

Arriving late to the Brazil vs. Spain match on Saturday may have been our luck. Apparently a stampede almost unfolded as fans waited outside the gate in a queue the stretch of the playing field. Murmurs of Third World nation organization were rampant. The concession stand had a 14-year old on the till and another body serving hundreds. There were four stalls in the ladies’ washroom.

Today’s game between Canada and the Netherlands is anticipating a sellout.

We are riding our bikes to the O.

We met the Dutch walking the streets of Old Montreal this morning. They barely grunted as we kindly said hello and good luck. They did pose a moment for a photo and forced a curled upper lip. Game face, I suppose. And technically, we are the enemy.

They held their nose as a whiff of Montreal strained their nostrils and watched a labour protest cross their path chanting for reform.

Then four of our own walked into our Tommy café for their game-day jolt. Melissa Tancredi posed with her cuppa joe.

Canada needs a win. Surely the Dutch, Chinese and Kiwis would say the same. It’s a close race.

Moreso, if Canada is even going to maintain its quest for the finals, it has to play much better. It needs to score.

Tying New Zealand is not the road to win the Women’s World Cup. The 1-0 win in the opener against China was forgiving. We are looking average. We need the Sinclair camp to step up and finish. We need more drives to goal. Our ball possession is shaky and uninspiring.

The new teams on the world stage like Cameroon, Colombia and Costa Rica are playing with more spirited heart and are shaking the old guards.

The success of the World Cup is on the backs of the Canucks because without Canada moving forward, the big dance fades to an abbreviation in our own country.

The players shyly express their excitement. The caffeine is giving the extra jitters.

We plan to leave early this time.

Carrie Serwetnyk, the first female inductee to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, is director of Equal Play, a non-profit group working for girls on and off the field, and funded by Jump Start, Telus and “Kwikw” silver pendants (an eagle with soccer ball). The pendants, by Olympic medal designer Corrine Hunt, are available atEqualPlayFC.com.

Canada’s Selenia Iacchelli, Emily Zurrer and Robyn Gale (left to right) relaxing on game day in a Montreal cafe, with smiles for the camera. (Carrie Serwetnyk photo) []

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/carrie-serwetnyk-canada-needs-extra-jolt-at-world-cup/feed0Netherlands 2015 FIFA Women's World CupcarrieserwetnykCanada’s Selenia Iacchelli, Emily Zurrer and Robyn Gale (left to right) relaxing on game day in a Montreal cafe, with smiles for the camera. (Carrie Serwetnyk photo)John Herdman makes Canadian women’s soccer team better players and better peoplehttp://o.canada.com/sports/john-herdman-makes-canadian-womens-soccer-team-better-players-and-better-people
Thu, 04 Jun 2015 19:43:29 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=672744&preview_id=672744]]>EDMONTON — The Canadian women call John Herdman the “Black Flash” when their coach joins in on their soccer practices. It’s a name he gave himself, they note.

Herdman, who played for his university as well as semi-pro teams back home in England, has a sense of humour. He also likes his party tricks on the ball.

“He does have some moves,” said veteran midfielder Diana Matheson. “The Black Flash’s downfall is that he maybe uses too many moves and he gets himself into trouble and maybe causes a few goals against his team that way.”

But most of all, Herdman is a master motivator and source of inspiration, his players say. No one works harder or longer.

They say Herdman has made them better players and better people.

Those skills will be put to the ultimate soccer test starting this weekend — the Women’s World Cup. Canada, ranked eighth in the world, opens Saturday against No. 16 China at Commonwealth Stadium.

Herdman’s journey with the Canadian women started when he took over from Carolina Morace in the wake of a disastrous 2011 World Cup that saw Canada finish last.

Ask the players what state they were in after the tournament in Germany, almost every one uses the same word. Broken.

When Herdman coached the New Zealand women, his team was bound together by the Maori heritage. The Football Ferns had a Maori spiritual leader.

One of his mentors told Herdman he needed to find a way to get the Canadian team reconnected after the “trauma” of the 2011 World Cup. In doing his homework, Herdman was struck by Canada’s patriotism.

“My first piece was like ‘Who are you as Canadians?’ That was my first question. Tell us,” said Herdman. “And we went 30 minutes in a meeting. They’d never been asked that before by a Norwegian or an Italian coach.

“They had never been asked anything about why they do what they do. What do you do it for. Ever. Can you believe that? In your career you’ve never been asked why you do it and you wonder why they failed. Because they’ve just been putting that jersey on. And once they’d earned it, after a while it just become normality. ‘Put this on. Why do we do this? Well, represent Canada.”‘

In Canada’s final warmup game last week, every member of the match-day squad took the field for the anthems before facing England in Hamilton. They put their arms over their neighbours’ shoulder and sang “O Canada” together. Only the English starters were on the field.

Herdman and his management team leave no stone unturned. They have everything from game formations for every situation to driving times from the team hotel to stadium down pat.

The 39-year-old Herdman is a stylish, compact package. In a black tracksuit, he can look like an Italian movie star slumming.

He loves family, music — something is always playing in the background when he meets with the team — and his beloved vintage VW Bug. And his energy and enthusiasm seems boundless.

A former university lecturer in England, he is cerebral but able to connect. In many ways, he’s a Geordie Tony Robbins, pushing his charges to improve and connect on and off the field.

In one sense, he has already succeeded. This Canadian women’s team is about as interesting a group of athletes as you can meet.

Unlike their male counterparts, there is no sweetheart contract waiting for them. And so while full-time athletes, they have expanded their horizons. Chiropractor, fitness DVD guru, artist, Zumba instructor, food truck owner and documentary video-shooter are just some of their off-field pursuits.

Herdman has challenged his players to become true leaders, a subject they have literally studied off the field through books and lectures. He has had them strip away defence mechanisms to share their emotions with their teammates, further strengthening team ties.

Ask his players what it like working under Herdman and they say it’s an honour and a privilege.

“(He’s) somebody that knows absolutely how to get the best out of people,” said veteran defender Carmelina Moscato. “He’s a high-performing guy. He’s created the environment for that. And you talk about squeezing blood from a rock, I mean he’s really done it with a lot of us — reinventing us.

“I’m 31 years old and he continues to call me a modern centre back. So I’ll take it. It’s pretty awesome.”

“It’s incredible what he’s able to get out of people, not just his players but even the staff,” said 17-year-old midfielder Jessie Fleming.

“John has affected all of us in huge ways and only a tiny piece of that is soccer-related,” said 33-year-old fullback Rhian Wilkinson. “It sound ridiculous but he’s changed me probably as a person and I only met him when I was 29.”

“An incredible man and an incredible coach,” she added. “We’re very very lucky to have him, but also to be able to listen to him day in and day out.”

“He’s a great leader, very motivational,” said midfielder Sophie Schmidt. “And he has an inspiring way of bringing out the best in us and wanting us to be the best.”

“The best coach I’ve ever had,” said forward Jonelle Foligno.

]]>John HerdmanthecanadianpressCaptain Canada: How opening herself up made Christine Sinclair a better leaderhttp://o.canada.com/sports/captain-canada-how-opening-herself-up-made-christine-sinclair-a-better-leader
Wed, 03 Jun 2015 19:57:40 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=672064&preview_id=672064]]>John Herdman usually doesn’t speak to his team in the locker-room after games. The Canadian women’s soccer coach prefers to talk later, when heads are cooler.

But in the wake of the crushing 4-3 extra-time loss to the United States in the semifinals at the 2012 Olympics, Herdman knew he had to say something sooner than later. As he walked though the tunnels towards the dressing room at Old Trafford, Herdman told team psychiatrist Ceri Evans his plan.

“He said ‘Look I think you’re right. Let’s script some things and make sure we get the message right, because you won’t get another chance at this,’ ” Herdman recalled.

As they approached the dressing room, equipment manager Maeve Glass came out. She was crying.

“She said ‘Look, you don’t need to go in there, it’s done … Christine (captain Christine Sinclair) just spoke to the team in a way she’s never spoke to them before.’ And there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

Said goalie Erin McLeod: “I get emotional every time I think about the speech.”

The team huddled up. “You could hear a pin drop,” said McLeod. And Sinclair, who scored all three Canadian goals that night in a memorable performance, rallied her troops.

“I just remember sitting in the locker-room at Old Trafford,” Sinclair recalled. “Just everyone was heartbroken, rightfully so. Myself included. After a couple of minutes, it sort of hit me that three days from now we’re playing for a bronze medal. Just this feeling came over me that I had to say something to this team.

“And I told them I had never been more proud to be their teammate. That the end result didn’t happen against the Americans, but I’ve never been more proud to wear that shirt. And that if heading into London, somebody would have said ‘You’re going to be playing for a bronze medal,’ we would have taken it in a heartbeat. And I’m not leaving London without one.

“I don’t know. It just had to be said. Cool if it had an impact on people.”

It’s typically modest Sinclair, who avoids the spotlight as if it was toxic. She likes to reduce her leadership skills to little more than leading by example. But her post-game address at the Theatre of Dreams sparked the team.

The Canadian women picked themselves off the floor and went on to defeat France 1-0 for the bronze medal thanks to a Diana Matheson goal in stoppage time.

The medal came 13 months after Canada finished dead last at the 2011 World Cup.

Sinclair, who turns 32 on June 12, was 16 when she made her Canadian senior debut in March 2000. She has long been the face of Canadian soccer, but prefers to stay under the radar.

She’s no ranter, says Herdman. She leads in a very subtle way.

“And I think often the best leaders, they don’t say much but when they speak, people listen. Because they don’t say much,” he said.

“And Christine works like that. She always says ‘My leadership is in what you see out on the pitch. I lead by example.’ But she’s more than that. And I think what she’s developed in the time I’ve been there is knowing that her voice has a huge impact on this team and there are moments she has to step up.”

In recent years, encouraged by Herdman, the intensely private Sinclair has opened herself to teammates. And by doing so, she has strengthened the ties that bind the team and become a true leader.

Like all teams, the Canadian women run the gamut. Herdman’s squad has girlie girls, girls who like girls, tomboys and everything in between. But they are also family who live and play together for months on end.

Herdman has worked closely with Sinclair and a small group on the team on leadership, what it is and how it works. In Salt Lake, where Canada played the U.S. one month before the London Olympics, Herdman even had them research five female leaders and come back and tell the group who they could relate to and why.

“So they were trying to figure out what leadership was,” he said. “And it came right down to this group of women had never been vulnerable enough to promote a layer of connection where people could trust them. There had always been a guard somewhere put up — ‘You don’t need to know this about me, I don’t want you to know this about me.’

“Christine. What is Christine. She’s just this wonderful person who’s a great footballer who scores goals for Canada. Really? Let’s find out who the real Christine is, because once you do that Christine, that’s when your players are going to connect. And if you’re vulnerable, they’re vulnerable. And when everyone’s vulnerable, then you get a reality and a connection and an authenticity in your group.

“And Christine made herself vulnerable in front of the group for the first time in her whole career.”

The team then went to Switzerland for a final pre-Games camp. Instead of having the team go “100 miles per hour,” Herdman focused on “mind, body and spirit” to further the connections between players.

“When she does (speak), it really is very impactful,” veteran fullback Rhian Wilkinson said of Sinclair. “She doesn’t waste her words. She’ll let other people take the lead in general but when something needs to be said, she’s the first to say it. And that sort of really started probably before Switzerland, but I think that is when we saw her as the amazing captain she is.”

The Canadian team repeated that Swiss camp in Mexico prior to this World Cup.

Sinclair, who has 153 goals in 223 appearances, has long been the straw that stirs the Canadian women. Herdman has worked hard to return that favour.

He talks of the need to be 90 per cent plus. Giving 80 per cent is good, he says, but to win a World Cup at home you have to be in 90 per cent plus.

“They did at the Olympics,” said Herdman. “To get to that level is not easy. It’s tough conversations, it’s a bit of adversity as well. It’s getting out of your comfort zone and being ready to push to another level.”

Veteran goalie Karina LeBlanc says Sinclair lives there.

“She’s doing that every single day. She’s not cutting corners. She’s not trying to cheat anybody. She’s just trying to make those around her better. That’s somebody who you want to have as your captain. That’s somebody you want to play with … I think she’s the perfect leader for us and for this nation.”

The 90-per-cent-plus concept is part of the Canadian team tournament culture, with Sinclair a key cog in the Herdman team wheel.

“My goal is that Christine drives her team to get the best out of themselves. Because when she did it last time, they got the best out of her.”

Sinclair’s teammates cite her humility as much as her talent. Many speak of her in near awe.

Playing with Sinclair is “my childhood dream every single day,” says forward Jonelle Foligno.

“Just an inspiration to be with and play with,” adds 17-year-old midfielder Jessie Fleming, who says she has to pull herself back every so often just to remind herself she is on the same field as Sinclair.

Canada, ranked eighth in the world, kicks off the Women’s World Cup against No. 16 China on Saturday in Edmonton.

I was in Spain recently, in a town of 5,000 called Fuente de Cantos. A man from the tourist office was showing me around a tiny museum dedicated to the town’s most famous son, the painter Francesco de Zubaran, a contemporary and friend of the more famous Velasquez.

Most Spaniards will have heard of him – a painter of kings, monks, virgins and one famous cup of water in the National Gallery in London – though it’s safe to say most foreigners have not.

Trying to put his town in a touristic context for me, he told me Spain organizes its tourism into three categories: places of international interest, of national interest – he put Fuente de Cantos in this slot – and of local interest.

It’s the first time I’d heard it put so simply, and it gave me a way to describe one of my favourite forms of tourism. I love going to places of national interest, places that are popular with people who live in that country, but exist beneath the radar of the international traveller.

They offer a deeper level of discovery. But most important, you get a greater sense of place when you go to a place that’s not been prepared for your international touristic pleasure. The food, the drink, the hotels and even the souvenirs are geared to a domestic clientele. You may have to do more travellers’ charades to get past higher language barriers, but you’re more than repaid by getting an experience that truly stands out as your own.

CORNWALL, U.K.

Cornwall is all coastline. Pictured, Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps. [annacurnow/Fotolia]

Everyone in the U.K. knows Cornwall as a spot to go for a week’s self-guided walking tour (the Brits love those). It’s all coastline, and comprises both the southernmost and the westernmost parts of Great Britain, offering a temperate climate and dramatic seasides.

Like all these sorts of places, you have all the conveniences of a tourist spot, because it is. It’s just not set up for you.

So, in addition to a beautiful modern hotel in Marazion that overlooks St. Michael’s Mount – a castle with its origins in the 12th century built on an outcropping of rock that you can walk to only at low tide – and Tintagel, the mythological site of King Arthur’s conception, you can also walk into the inn in Lanivet (pop. 2,000) and hear all conversation stop when you order a pint in your North American accent. For tourists in so many parts of the world, treated like the strangers you are, running into people who are surprised to see you there, this can make you feel like you’re really travelling, and not just moving from one tableau vivant to the next. visitbritain.com; godolphinarms.co.uk.

HAINAN, CHINA

Hainan is a small island off China’s southern coast. [vvoe/Fotolia]

To hear China described in numbers is always fascinating, and my favourite number is how many tourists visited Hainan in 2013. Hainan – I’d never heard of it before I went – is a small island off China’s southern coast that until recently was mostly used as a dumping ground for political exiles.

I was there two years ago, and was told by several officials that tourism only really got started there 10 years earlier, and that by 2013, there were 35.9 million overnight visitors to the warm, beach beribboned island (of which only 800,000 were foreign). That’s six million more than Paris got that year.

The city I stayed in, Sanya, has more than 200 hotels, and there were cranes building more everywhere. The island’s five rainforests have been turned into a park called Yanoda, and they’ve built another park, called Binglanggu, to celebrate, exhibit and – this is the odd part – simultaneously house many of its aboriginal Li people, including some of the last surviving women with full body tattoos, which were outlawed in the 1950s.

It’s nature and people packaged and sold, tourism at its starkest and most revealing. With its numbers, Chinese tourism is set to change the way we all travel.

The big attraction is the Herrenchiemsee, the palace built by Bavaria’s King Ludwig II. [Oliver Lang/AFP/Getty Images ]

The Chiemsee is a Bavarian lake about 90 kilometres southeast of Munich with two gorgeous islands, Herreninsel and the Fraueninsel, where Bavarians and other Germans like to stroll on a summer’s day.

The big attraction is the Herrenchiemsee, the palace built by Bavaria’s King Ludwig II. It’s less well known than one of his other homes, Neuschwanstein, the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, but more interesting on several levels.

It’s the biggest of Ludwig’s projects, and was left unfinished at his death. It was also meant as an homage to Versailles, complete with its own hall of mirrors, and a fantastic double staircase, the ambassadors’ staircase, the original of which was demolished in Versailles in 1752. A little like Zubaran, Ludwig II is much bigger at home than he is abroad. His grand ambitions, early death and possible love for various men have created a myth around him that means you see his face everywhere. A walk around Herreninsel, after a ferry ride across the Chiemsee, offers insight into the heart of Bavaria you won’t get at even the most raucous beer hall. And with Lufthansa now flying direct from both Montreal and Toronto, in addition to Air Canada flying from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, it’s pretty easy to get to.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/second-best-can-be-better/feed0St. Michael's Mount is a castle in Cornwall with its origins in the 12th century built on an outcropping of rock you can walk to only at low tide.postmedianews1Cornwall is all coastline. Pictured, Carnewas and Bedruthan Steps.Hainan is a small island off China's southern coast.The big attraction is the Herrenchiemsee, the palace built by Bavaria's King Ludwig II.FIFA 2015: Canadian women down England 1-0, head to World Cup on winning notehttp://o.canada.com/sports/fifa-2015-canadian-women-down-england-1-0-head-to-world-cup-on-winning-note
Sat, 30 May 2015 01:19:14 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=637178&preview_id=637178]]>HAMILTON — Sophie Schmidt scored a highlight-reel goal midway through the first half to send Canada into the Women’s World Cup on a winning note with a 1-0 victory over England in a friendly Friday.

The goal, on artificial turf before 23,197 at Tim Hortons Field, came after a slow start for the Canadians, who grew in confidence as the game wore on. Canada strung passes together and looked more creative in trying to open up the visitors.

England is ranked sixth in the world, two places above Canada.

The Canadian women head to Edmonton on Tuesday in advance of their June 6 World Cup opener against China in Group A, which also features New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Schmidt scored the game’s lone goal in the 24th minute, sweeping in a feed from makeshift fullback Josee Belanger with a right-footed one-timer on the edge of the penalty box. Her 16th goal for Canada was a beauty.

She came close on several other occasions, on a free kick in the first half and a close-range shot early in the second after a twisting run through the penalty box. She also threatened in the 78th minute when, all but wearing an English defender, she poked the ball wide.

Schmidt, making her 132nd Canada appearance, tied Andrea Neil and Brittany Timko for fourth on the all-time Canadian list.

Fullback Allysha Chapman also excelled for Canada, motoring up and down the left flank. The Canadian defence blunted the visitors with forwards coming back to help the cause.

The visitors resorted to some tough defence in the second half, flattening more than a few Canadians.

England’s Fara Williams hit the crossbar with a long-range chip/shot in the dying minutes.

England has had the best of Canada recently, coming into Friday’s game riding a four-game win streak against the Canadians. Last time out, England defeated Canada 1-0 in the March final of the Cyprus Cup on a 67th-minute goal by Lianne Sanderson.

Canada named local girl Melissa Tancredi of Ancaster, Ont., captained the Canadian squad on the occasion of her 100th cap. Christine Sinclair normally wears the armband.

Tancredi came close in the seventh minute, just failing to get her head on an Ashley Lawrence cross.

England had chances early with captain Steph Houghton floating a free kick from outside the box just high in the 18th. Two minutes later, Canada ‘keeper Erin McLeod had to push aside a Houghton shot off a corner.

Both teams turned to their bench after the two-thirds mark.

Playing out of Moncton, N.B., in Group F, England meets France on June 9 and Mexico on 13 June before heading to Montreal to take on Colombia on June 17.

Canada fielded a strong team with the opening 11 featuring nine starters from the March Cyprus Cup final. Only Rhian Wilkinson (hamstring) and Rebecca Quinn (not part of the World Cup team) were missing.

In the absence of Wilkinson and Marie-Eve Nault, recovering from a minor knock, John Herdman played forward Belanger at right fullback as he did in a training match earlier in the week against Nigeria.

England coach Mark Sampson opted for a near-to-full strength lineup.

It marked the first time a Canadian national team has played in Hamilton since April 25, 1987, when the Olympic men’s side beat Bermuda in a Pan American Games qualifying match at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Friday’s game was shown live by the BBC in England, where kickoff was midnight local time.

If anyone had told me six months ago I would be climbing 2,000-year-old stairs, walking through magnificent compounds in the footsteps of emperors, empresses and the elite, or feasting on the traditional culinary delight of Peking duck cooked to perfection, I would have said they were hallucinating.

With only two days to spend in Beijing, I knew it would be a challenge to choose sites wisely.

DAY 1

My English-speaking guide and I started out Day 1 walking through the impressive Tiananmen Square. I couldn’t help but remember the image people around the world saw of the lone student standing in front of a military tank on that day in June 1989. I had to pinch myself to be sure I was actually standing on this historical spot and not just dreaming. The square is the fourth-largest in the world and capable of holding more than a million people. As I continued through the square towards the imperial red walls of the Forbidden City and passed through the massive gates beneath the portrait of Chairman Mao, I couldn’t wait to see what was on the other side.

I was awestruck by the sheer size of the compound that was capable of housing thousands of craftsmen and servants. It was a city within a city and one could easily see how someone living behind the 30-foot walls could become disconnected from the outside. Indeed, there were many who lived their entire lives within the confines of those walls.

The Forbidden City. [Linda Blair]

I was spellbound as I listened to stories of emperors and concubines, opium wars, suicide, monies being misappropriated and the navy being defeated due to the compromise. Some of the tales of the wicked Empress Dowager and her dastardly deeds were enough to make my head spin and seeing a huge portrait of her sent a shiver through me.

I could feel her eyes burning two holes in the back of my head as I scurried out of there. I knew there were many more stories to be told, but time was running short and I pressed onward toward the garden area. Beautiful gardens with rock archways and paths zigzagging every which way were something to behold.

Ancient trees looked like oversized bonsai and are labelled as being 300 to 500 years old.

The numerous buildings and temples within the compound are amazing ancient architecture. One inspiring building is the Temple of Heaven, which was built on three levels of marble and is a circular, triple-gabled design constructed entirely of wood with no nails; it’s painted in the traditional colours that were used only for royalty. The temple was used annually for ceremonies of sacrifice and prayers for good harvest.

As my tired feet headed toward the exit of the Forbidden City, reflections of the red walls, willow trees, and setting sun on the calm waters of the moat that surrounds the city were peaceful. However, I was already anticipating tomorrow’s trip to see the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs.

Everything is meticulous including the temple details. [Linda Blair]

DAY 2

Just 70 kilometres north of Beijing is Badaling, a “must-see” section of the Great Wall. Climbing the same path as soldiers did centuries ago is amazing, and while climbing the steep slope I marvelled at the strength and endurance they would have needed to make the climb under the weight of their armour, provisions, and arms.

Even though this is not an easy climb, it is well worth it. The path is wide, so you can stop and enjoy the panoramic views as you catch your breath without fear of holding up anyone who might be behind you. I was there in early November, but the views would be nothing short of spectacular in any season. At the start of the climb there are some gift shops, washrooms, and coffee shops where you can get something to eat and drink either before you start the climb or on the descent.

A short drive from Badaling, are the Ming Tombs, a burial site of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty. The site was chosen according to Feng Shui, (bad spirits and evil winds must be deflected), therefore it sits in a valley protected on three sides by mountains. The natural beauty and grandeur of the park-like grounds instil a feeling of peace and tranquillity as you walk about the immaculate gardens and walkways.

A water holder in the Forbidden City. [Linda Blair]

Changling is the biggest (with three courtyards) and best preserved of the 13 tombs, and is the burial site of Emperor Zhu Di and his empress. There is an impressive statue of the emperor in one of the pavilions on the grounds with many pictures and models depicting life of a bygone era. The stove on display was used to burn silk and money, as it was believed the smoke transported the items to the heavens for the emperor.

There were fascinating stories of suicide, emperors with multiple wives, highest-ranking concubines being entombed with their emperor, and sadly, a tomb being raided. Of the 13 sites, three are open to the public and one has been excavated. Unfortunately, the excavation of the Dingling tomb was done at a time when the technology of preserving the artifacts was not so advanced and many of the items of silk, bejewelled headpieces, and other treasures seriously deteriorated – many of the items in the museums are replicas of the originals, but still worth seeing. With the end of the day drawing near, my thoughts turned to a feast of succulent Peking duck that I knew would be waiting for me when I arrived back in the city. My expectations were far exceeded as the sun set on my time in Beijing. Another trip is definitely in the cards for me.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/48-hours-in-beijing/feed0The Great Wall has been rebuilt throughout the centuries.postmedianews1The Forbidden City.Everything is meticulous including the temple details.A water holder in the Forbidden City.Photos March 10: Top images from around the worldhttp://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-10-top-images-from-around-the-world
http://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-10-top-images-from-around-the-world#respondTue, 10 Mar 2015 15:41:30 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=596829]]>The day’s best photos, as selected by editors at Postmedia News, are a stunning collection of the greatest images from around the world.

A Tibetan exile shouts anti-China slogans after being detained by Indian police during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. Scores of Tibetan protesters March 10 shouted independence slogans and waved anti-China banners in New Delhi to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. In Nepal, which is also home to thousands of Tibetan exiles, activists sang songs and made offerings to a portrait of the Dalai Lama as part of the commemorations. MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty Images

A police officer beats a student protester in Letpadan, 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of Yangon, Myanmar. Hundreds of police were charging student protesters with batons, kicking and beating them as they dragged them into trucks, ending a days-long standoff in the Myanmar town of Letpadan. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

Myanmar student protesters (L) clash with riot police during a march in Letpadan town, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Myanmar’s main city. Phyo Hein Kyaw/AFP/Getty Images

Student protesters run as police officers charge during a crackdown in Letpadan, 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Palestinian child sleeps as she waits with her family for permission to enter Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. Egypt is due to reopen its Rafah border crossing with Gaza for two days, for the fourth time since it was closed after a suicide bombing in the Sinai Peninsula in October 2014. SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images

Supporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of Yemeni former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, hold their weapons as they chant slogans during a demonstration demanding presidential elections be held and the younger Saleh run for the office, in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Muscat airport in Oman, as it heads to Ahmedabad in India on the second leg of its epic bid to become the first plane to fly around the world powered solely by the sun. MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP/Getty Images

Immigrants protest in front of the main office of the Protection system for refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR) in Rome. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images

A masked Palestinian protester hurls away a tear gas canister fired by Israeli severity forces during clashes following a demonstration by students from Birzeit University near Ramallah against the incarceration in Israeli jails of Palestinian university students, in the West Bank village of Betunia, outside the Israeli-run Ofer prison. ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty Images

People look at a scale model of Istambul at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, southeastern France, during the MIPIM, an international real estate show for professionals. VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images

President Barack Obama laughs with Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Adm. James Winnefeld, left, and 89th Airlift Wing Vice Commander Preston Williamson, as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

]]>http://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-10-top-images-from-around-the-world/feed0INDIA-NEPAL-CHINA-TIBET-PROTEST-POLITICSpostmedianews1A Tibetan exile shouts anti-China slogans after being detained by Indian police during a protest outside the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. Scores of Tibetan protesters March 10 shouted independence slogans and waved anti-China banners in New Delhi to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. In Nepal, which is also home to thousands of Tibetan exiles, activists sang songs and made offerings to a portrait of the Dalai Lama as part of the commemorations. MONEY SHARMA/AFP/Getty ImagesA police officer beats a student protester in Letpadan, 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of Yangon, Myanmar. Hundreds of police were charging student protesters with batons, kicking and beating them as they dragged them into trucks, ending a days-long standoff in the Myanmar town of Letpadan. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)Myanmar student protesters (L) clash with riot police during a march in Letpadan town, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) north of Myanmar's main city. Phyo Hein Kyaw/AFP/Getty ImagesStudent protesters run as police officers charge during a crackdown in Letpadan, 140 kilometers (90 miles) north of Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)A street vendor hawks his wares outside shuttered shops in central Athens. Greece agreed to start urgent technical talks on extending its crucial bailout after its eurozone partners accused debt-stricken Athens of wasting time in previous negotiations. LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty ImagesA Palestinian child sleeps as she waits with her family for permission to enter Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. Egypt is due to reopen its Rafah border crossing with Gaza for two days, for the fourth time since it was closed after a suicide bombing in the Sinai Peninsula in October 2014. SAID KHATIB/AFP/Getty ImagesSupporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of Yemeni former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, hold their weapons as they chant slogans during a demonstration demanding presidential elections be held and the younger Saleh run for the office, in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse 2 takes off from Muscat airport in Oman, as it heads to Ahmedabad in India on the second leg of its epic bid to become the first plane to fly around the world powered solely by the sun. MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP/Getty ImagesImmigrants protest in front of the main office of the Protection system for refugees and asylum seekers (SPRAR) in Rome. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty ImagesA masked Palestinian protester hurls away a tear gas canister fired by Israeli severity forces during clashes following a demonstration by students from Birzeit University near Ramallah against the incarceration in Israeli jails of Palestinian university students, in the West Bank village of Betunia, outside the Israeli-run Ofer prison. ABBAS MOMANI/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople look at a scale model of Istambul at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, southeastern France, during the MIPIM, an international real estate show for professionals. VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama laughs with Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Adm. James Winnefeld, left, and 89th Airlift Wing Vice Commander Preston Williamson, as he walks from Marine One to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)European Council President Donald Tusk (3rd R) visits the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty ImagesVeteran Canadian goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc says retiring at home just feels righthttp://o.canada.com/news/veteran-canadian-goalkeeper-karina-leblanc-says-retiring-at-home-just-feels-right
Tue, 26 May 2015 19:17:12 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=609233&preview_id=609233]]>TORONTO — The timing was right for Karina LeBlanc. After 17 years in goal for Canada, the chance to call it quits on home soil just seemed to make sense.

The 35-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C., who has made 110 appearances for her country, is retiring from international soccer after Canada’s last match at the Women’s World Cup.

“The ability to have it end in Vancouver, @ B.C. Place where our team hopes to win the World Cup, and wave my last goodbye on home soil to Canadians who have inspired me every single day,” she said Tuesday.

“It would just be something special, to look out in the stands and see people who have been there since the beginning of this journey of mine 17 years ago until the end, and be with my best friends. It’s just a moment that I don’t think could be topped … Saying goodbye to Canadians on home soil is something that just triggered my heart.

“To me, within my heart, it just seemed right.”

Canada opens the World Cup on June 6 in Edmonton against China. The tournament final is set for July 5 at B.C. Place Stadium.

Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association, called LeBlanc an “incredible ambassador” for Canada and Canadian soccer.

LeBlanc plans to continue playing club soccer for the NWSL Chicago Red Stars after the World Cup, but has yet to finalize her plans after this season.

“Hopefully, we win a championship there, too, and I’ll have an easy decision after that,” she said.

LeBlanc will leave world soccer on its biggest showcase.

“As a child, you dream of playing in the Olympic Games or World Cup but you never really dream of it being in your home country, so it’s something that we’re embracing,” LeBlanc said in an earlier interview. “People talk of pressure, but to us it’s an opportunity to really make this country see the women’s game, see the sport that we love and have a passion for. For us, it’s an honour.”

LeBlanc planned to announce her retirement via Twitter. Coach John Herdman wouldn’t hear of it, arranging for LeBlanc to release the news on national TV with teammates via “Canada AM.”

The veteran ‘keeper is the senior member of the Canadian team. She calls 17-year-old midfielder Jessie Fleming “daughter.”

A larger than-life-character with an infectious laugh and no shortage of creative hairstyles, LeBlanc sees endless possibilities.

“I just think every day’s an exciting opportunity to be a better version of myself … That’s exciting because you get to continue to push the envelope, push yourself,” she said.

LeBlanc was 18 when she debuted for Canada in July 1998, coming in at halftime of a friendly in Montreal against China. She has since represented Canada in three Pan American Games, two Olympic Games and is now on the verge of a fifth World Cup.

“When I first joined the team, it was just a cool thing to be in a stadium that had a lot of people in it,” she recalled.

“The game was just so much different back then,” she added. “Women’s soccer was just coming onto the map and people were just starting to recognize it.”

At a February Ottawa Senators game, LeBlanc got a standing ovation when she was introduced on the big screen.

“It was one of those ‘Are you kidding me (moments),’ ” she recalled. “But the game has just evolved.”

LeBlanc is one of three goalies on the Canadian World Cup roster. Starter Erin McLeod and Stephanie Labbe are the other two.

“Karina has brought so much to this program and this team,” said McLeod.

In March 2012, LeBlanc became the 10th women’s footballer to make her 100th appearance for Canada.

She has already tried her hand at coaching, working with goalies at a Canadian women’s youth camp in 2004 and was an assistant coach at Rutgers University from 2005 to 2010. She has also done some sideline commentary work for Fox TV, something she hopes to do more of post-soccer.

“To me it’s fun,” she said of TV work, “because I’ve spent so many years being interviewed. And now I guess I know as an athlete what that they want to be asked and what they don’t want to be asked.”

She is also a proud ambassador for UNICEF Canada.

]]>Karina LeBlanc, Christine SinclairthecanadianpressThe Victorian Ritual: Five places to indulge in Afternoon Teahttp://o.canada.com/travel/the-victorian-ritual-five-places-to-indulge-in-afternoon-tea
http://o.canada.com/travel/the-victorian-ritual-five-places-to-indulge-in-afternoon-tea#commentsThu, 14 May 2015 19:00:38 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=607642]]>“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” – Henry James

As travellers circumnavigate the globe, discovering the palate-pleasing local tastes of each country’s cuisine, there’s a ritual that is well-worth putting in the schedule: afternoon tea.

A tradition that originated in England, afternoon tea is a welcome respite from our busy world – a time for conversation, reflection and hopefully shared with others. Here are five places to make time for a cuppa:

Pettigrew Tea Rooms, Cardiff Wales – located in a stone building on the edge of Bute Park, this tea house appreciates tradition but it’s a laid-back affair: guests are tucked around vintage wood tables and served their preferred tea – Organic Lavender Earl Grey, Sencha Green Tea or Iron Goddess of Mercy perhaps? – on non-matching sets of floral china cups, saucers and teapots. Tasty finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and Caerphilly strawberry preserve are served on three tiered servers but be sure to leave room for dessert – this tea room’s bespoke cakes are pure temptation.

Arabian Court at The Royal Mirage One and Only Resort, Dubai UAE– tuck into the over-sized red velvet couches of The Samovar Lounge for tea with an Arabic flavour. With a view overlooking the gardens, swimming pool and the Arabian Gulf, tea enthusiasts will appreciate the white china service with oversized silver accessories showcasing the requisite finger sandwiches, scones, strawberry jam and Devonshire cream. The difference here is dessert: Arabic sweets laden with honey, rosewater and pistachios as well as fresh dates are a welcome addition to the afternoon ritual.

The Chinese city of Hangzhou is the epicentre for production of Dragon Well green tea. [Waheeda Harris]

Garden Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel, Hangzhou China – found within the heart of China’s green tea production area, this stylish terrace bar overlooks the manicured hotel gardens and is a calm setting for an afternoon break. There are plenty of Asian and Western options for sandwiches and other tasty treats, but it’s the tea that is the star of the show: Longjing tea or better known as Dragon Well tea. This delicate, flavourful, pan-roasted green tea will definitely make a late day break a memorable event.

Palm Court at The Langham, London UK – steps from the shopping lures of Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus, this grand hotel is the epicentre of a stylish afternoon tea, the first place to offer the ritual started by the Duchess of Bedford in the mid-1800s. In the 21st century, guests can enjoy the elegant Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood with live piano as a calming soundtrack. Sandwiches and scones are paired with Wedgwood speciality teas, served on Langham Rose Wedgwood tea accessories, and the sweet finish: eye-catching seasonally-inspired pastries and desserts that are almost too pretty to eat.

A sunset view of the Nile River while enjoying high tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt, a benefit when travelling with Insight Vacations. [Waheeda Harris]

Palms Bar at The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, Aswan Egypt– overlooking the Nile River, guests will appreciate the relaxing atmosphere of this intimate terrace bar, a laid-back spot to reflect on a day of exploring in this southern Egyptian city. Traditional teas are offered, but many opt for the cooling effects of iced hibiscus tea paired with gourmet sandwiches, scones and fresh fruit, and an unbeatable sunset view. No surprise mystery author Agatha Christie was inspired to pen Death on the Nile while staying at this hotel.

Travel tips – make a reservation to enjoy any of these afternoon teas – and take your time. The ritual is best enjoyed when not limited by a busy schedule.

The author was a guest of the featured hotels and tea rooms which neither viewed nor approved this article prior to publication.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/the-victorian-ritual-five-places-to-indulge-in-afternoon-tea/feed3mint teaWaheedaAfternoon tea starts with choosing from several loose leaf tea options at Cardiff's Pettigrew Tea Rooms. [Waheeda Harris]The Chinese city of Hangzhou is the epicentre for production of Dragon Well green tea.A sunset view of the Nile River while enjoying high tea at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt.China’s great classical gardenshttp://o.canada.com/news/chinas-great-classical-gardens
http://o.canada.com/news/chinas-great-classical-gardens#respondTue, 12 May 2015 13:15:49 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=607101]]>By Steve Whysall, Vancouver Sun

There is a belvedere in a flower garden in the picturesque French village of Apremont-sur-Allier that contains eight painted panels that tell the story of a global search for paradise by a group of Venetian puppets.

The troop travels around the world, through Africa and India and on to the Antilles and South America.

On the way, they stop and marvel at all kinds of natural wonders. But they eventually find what they are looking for in their own backyard.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden in Suzhou has many stunning features, including a blue-glass pavilion that frames beautiful views. [Steve Whysall]

The workmanship in the Sun Yat Sen garden is definitely on par with the best in China and its zigzagging corridors, tranquil courtyards, elegant pavilions and sensitive plantings are just as outstanding.

This really should come as no surprise since much of the work was done by artisans brought in from Suzhou when the garden was built in 1985. But Sun Yat Sen also stands up as a beautiful work in terms of its overall design and its key features, such as the Scholar’s Courtyard and the magnificent ting (pavilion) placed high on a mound of limestone from Lake Tai.

Making this comparison would not have been possible had I not seen for myself the quality of work and natural beauty of top gardens in China during my recent 16-day tour.

Some things, of course, can never be copied or equalled.

For instance, the 16th-century Yu Garden in the heart of bustling old Shanghai contains the most magnificent dragon wall with a giant, snarling, stone dragon head and undulating serpent-like body that ripples in arching waves along the top of the wall from one end of the garden to the other. Not something you see every day.

Some Chinese garden experts are a little dismissive of the Yu garden, saying it is all about power, privilege and prestige and lacks the artistic and esthetic subtlety of the best gardens in Suzhou. However, there is no question about the beauty of its limestone rockeries, black-and-white pebbled courtyards, jade-coloured ponds and quaint bridging passageways.

The Lingering Garden was hard to leave; the name was very well chosen. [Steve Whysall]

Although a little care-worn, the garden still has an abundance of impressive features, including a 400-year-old ginkgo tree, vase-shaped doorways that frame views, willow-draped pavilions and sculpted dragons and horsemen decorating rooftops. By comparison, the Lingering Garden in Suzhou has a distinctly more refined, serene, sophisticated atmosphere with

its gentle network of paths and passageways that connect everything in a seamless fluidity. The Lingering Garden also makes bold use of tree peonies, creating an intimate garden courtyard full of vibrant colour and softening foliage texture.

There is also a splendid bamboo grove that comes alive with the merest breath of wind, adding a soothing, rustling sound to the garden.

To understand a Chinese garden, you need to know that the Taoist concept of yin-yang is emphasized a lot, particularly in the juxtaposition of light and dark stones, rough and smooth surfaces but also in the symbolic importance of plants, such as bamboo (strength), willow (flexibility, suppleness), lotus (purity), peony (beauty, rank and status) and pine (self-discipline, longevity).

The 16th-century Yu Garden is in the heart of bustling old Shanghai. [Steve Whysall]

A walk in a classical Chinese garden is as much about engaging the intellect about the meaning and purpose of life as about the pleasure of experiencing beauty and being emotionally stimulated.

The Lingering Garden was hard to leave; the name was very well chosen. Twisting, turning passages and corridors make it a challenge to find your way out and there is also a superb penjing (the Chinese version of bonsai) collection near the exit that holds on to you. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is considered one of the best gardens in China and is arguably the most famous in Suzhou.

I had the privilege of a private meeting with the directors of the garden at which we discussed the challenges of crowd control, plant protection and the work of making the garden relevant to new and future generations. I was impressed by the seriousness with which the directors took their responsibility and how passionately they cared about the quality of the garden and its value not just to China but to garden lovers around the world.

So I was alarmed when I actually got to walk in the garden only to find it immensely crowded and to see people carelessly pushing into peony beds and clambering over ancient rockeries to get the perfect photograph.

It struck me as counter-productive to allow thousands of people at a time into such a beautiful garden, resulting in a discordant atmosphere of chaos rather than of peace, beauty and tranquillity. Tour guides using microphones to talk to their groups were at times deafening, and indifferent schoolchildren were left unsupervised.

The Humble Administrator’s Garden has many beautiful features. [Steve Whysall]

I think the garden administrators would be wise to follow the lead of top art galleries, such as Villa Borghese in Rome, which restricts access to a limited number each hour in order to create a more pleasant experience for visitors.

Nevertheless, the Humble Administrator’s Garden has many beautiful features, including a stunning blue-glass pavilion, courtyards where trees are lavishly under-planted with plain green ornamental grass, and exquisite wooden lattice windows with a cracked-ice pattern that frame views like paintings, turning the captured garden image into a living work of art.

Old and treasured plants have been protected by wooden frames placed around vulnerable stems and strips of bamboo have been looped over the ground around the trunks of old trees to prevent roots being damaged.

I also had time to pop into the Master of the Nets Garden, the smallest of Suzhou’s classical residential gardens, that has courtyards paved in a pattern of a fisherman’s net.

It was easy to imagine a family of three generations living in these intimate quarters with its network of building and garden spaces cleverly designed to connect harmoniously while also providing privacy and practical functionality.

Some Chinese garden experts are a little dismissive of the Yu garden, saying it is all about power, privilege and prestige and lacks the artistic and esthetic subtlety of the best gardens in Suzhou. [Steve Whysall]

Transitions from pavilions to garden are achieved in a gentle, relaxed way to preserve the atmosphere of privacy and tranquillity. In the main courtyard, pitted limestone is softened by lapping waves of plain green mondo grass and shaded by the canopy of white lacebark pines. Embedded in the artistic paving are images of fish heading for a corner pond.

This courtyard was used as the model for the Ming Hall Garden at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Before leaving Suzhou, I also visited Tiger Hill, a picturesque garden district with a first-class collection of penjings and a seven-storey leaning Yunyan pagoda. I came away thinking of Tiger Hill as a beautiful and relaxing stroll garden.

All these gardens are certainly wonderful to visit. But you can get a great idea of what it is like to visit them by going to our own Dr. Sun Yat Sen Garden in Chinatown. It’s a classy work, too.

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/chinas-great-classical-gardens/feed0The 16th-century Yu Garden in old Shanghai contains the most magnificent dragon wall with a giant, stone dragon head and serpent-like body extending the garden's entire length.postmedianews1The Humble Administrator's Garden in Suzhou has many stunning features, including a blue-glass pavilion that frames beautiful views.The Lingering Garden was hard to leave; the name was very well chosen.The 16th-century Yu Garden is in the heart of bustling old Shanghai.The Humble Administrator's Garden has many beautiful features.Some Chinese garden experts are a little dismissive of the Yu garden, saying it is all about power, privilege and prestige and lacks the artistic and esthetic subtlety of the best gardens in Suzhou.New Princess ship full-time for Chinahttp://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/new-princess-ship-full-time-for-china
http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/new-princess-ship-full-time-for-china#respondMon, 11 May 2015 03:00:57 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=607233]]>Norwegian seems to be the only major cruise company that, for now, is sitting out the parade of ships heading to China…although executives have said they will make up their minds by the end of the year.

“Deploying our next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to growing the China cruise market and providing discerning travellers with amazing vacation experiences at sea,” said President Jan Swartz.

Princess until now has been a part-time visitor to China. The Sapphire Princess is scheduled to be in Shanghai from June 4 through October.

On the new ship, which has no name yet, it appears Princess is going to retain many of the features of Royal and Regal. This means one of the best atriums at sea, a special Chef’s Table Lumiere and Movies

The Sapphire Princess, here at Keelung Harbor in Taiwan, will be in Chinese waters until October

Under the Stars, plus the trademark SeaWalk, which extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship. Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multi-generational travellers.

In addition, the new ship will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience, designed specifically for the Chinese market and to include the World Leaders Dinner, traditional English afternoon tea, a Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, an ocean-view hot pot dinner option and ballroom dancing.

What does this mean to you, the Canadian and U.S. cruiser?

Higher prices in the long term.

With fewer new ships in these markets, prices will most certainly rise. Cruise executives have complained over the last few years that they have not been receiving the value they should for their product.

With Royal Caribbean’s decision to send two out of three of their highly touted Quantum Class of ships to China, will the smaller luxury and premium lines jump into these waters?

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/new-princess-ship-full-time-for-china/feed0ShipphilreimerThe Sapphire, here at Keelung Harbor in Taiwan, will be in Chinese waters until OctoberKayaker Ford continues to knock down age, funding barriershttp://o.canada.com/sports/kayaker-ford-continues-to-knock-down-age-funding-barriers
Mon, 04 May 2015 21:28:00 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=606343&preview_id=606343]]>TORONTO — It’s been five years since David Ford was completely stripped of his Canadian sport funding amid not-so-subtle hints he was too old.

He’s 48 now, and the Olympic dream still burns bright in Ford, Canada’s best whitewater kayaker for the better part of three decades.

And why not?

“There’s a bias in people’s minds that age is a number that stops you from performing,” Ford said. “I don’t think you can really look at it that specifically.”

Ford prefers to look at other numbers, like the ones in the weight room. The five-time Olympian can do weighted chin-ups with 112.5 pounds hanging from his waist. He can bench pull — face down, pulling upward — 315 pounds. Both are at least 10-pound improvements over what he lifted in 1999, when he was the world champion.

“When I was younger, my dad also did a bit of racing. I remember being 16, my dad was 36 years old, and I remember thinking ‘I hope he’s OK, he shouldn’t be doing that sort of thing at that age,”‘ Ford said laughing. “Now I’m 12 years past that day, and still feel amazing.

“The only price I’ve paid I feel like is injuries obviously. Also when I get tired, I can’t fake it anymore. But other than that, I feel better now than I did when I was 25. Sports science has come so far. . . I’ve learned so much more as an athlete that I can apply now that I feel physically much better than when I won my first World Cup.”

Ford has raced for Canada for a whopping 31 years, a trail-blazing career that has seen him reach more than a dozen World Cup podiums. He narrowly missed adding an Olympic medal, finishing fourth at the 2004 Athens Games.

He was sixth at the 2008 Games in Beijing, and then after qualifying the lone Canadian boat for the 2012 London Games, he was sidelined by a ruptured tendon in his elbow.

Along the way, Canada’s sport bosses erased his funding. First, the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Own the Podium program stopped paying him in 2007. Then, Sport Canada cut his carding money — the monthly stipend athletes receive through the Athlete Assistance Program.

“I don’t really understand that thought process, when you have the best guys,” said Ford, who is also eyeing a spot on Canada’s team for the Pan American Games in Toronto. “It’s not like we’re hanging on for carding, we’re doing it because we still have an Olympic dream and we still feel like we have the potential to have great performance.

“I think all Olympians in Canada get really good at doing more with less, and I have a lot of experience, so it becomes easier to do more with less.”

Ford’s most recent financial crisis came when global company Teck Resources laid off 600 people, and his sponsorship with the company was one of the casualties. He considered calling it a career until a chance conversation with former Canadian rugby player Dave Lougheed, a vice-president with global money management company Raymond James.

“He came to get some advice from Kelly about his ski-racing daughters,” said Ford, who is married to former Olympic skier Kelly VanderBeek. “He knew about my career and was surprised to hear what was going on with funding, and he thought he might be able to help.

“He created sort of the ‘Olympic Dream’ as a company, and created 100 shares, $500 a share, and just put it out there to his friends, client list, and we got halfway sold out already, within a week and a half. We’re hoping we can get all the way through the 100 shares, if not farther, which would give me more or less the resources I need to get at least through next spring if not the Olympics.”

Ford and VanderBeek, and their one-year-old son Cooper, live in Canmore, Alta., where VanderBeek is a professional photographer and does TV commentary for ski races.

He said his career — whether or not it’s worth it to continue — is an “ongoing discussion.”

“You finish every year and think ‘What are the goals and what’s the price for those goals?”‘ Ford said. “Kelly is supportive of the fact that I’m still improving, and physically I’m still as good or better than I ever have been. The Olympic dream, it doesn’t go away. It’s still just as strong, and you evaluate whether your chance to do as well as you want to do is there.

“That’s what drives our decision. Every year, my whole career, there are ups and downs and money or no money, and you make your decisions based on whether your dream is still strong enough.”

While luxury line Crystal Cruises has from time to time mentioned having children on board, it really hasn’t been a major push.

This fall and winter, Crystal is offering savings for taking kids on several cruises. It starts with complimentary berths for kids and a host of perks for families travelling together.

From September through December, kids under 17 can sail free in a third berth with two full-fare adults, while groups and families of six or more also enjoy shipboard credits of up to $400 per stateroom, a $500 credit toward a Crystal Private Adventure, family photo and other benefits offered with the line’s “Crystal Family Memories” program. The limited offer is available through the April 30 so book now.

There are lots of interesting cruises and side adventures to go along with them.

Antigua and Barbuda are upgrading piers in the coming years but, right now, the China Construction Engineering company is working on finishing the new airport. After that, the company’s attention turns to the piers in the harbour.

When finished, the ports will be able to handle the world’s largest cruise ships — Royal Caribbean’sOasis Class.

——–

Australia’s Gold Coast, after much talk, is more interested in accommodating cruise ships.

Melbourne’s Herald Sun reports that out of a 6,900-person poll of residents that over two-thirds have

The national French airline will be flying non-stop from Vancouver to Paris three times a week until May 3, then five times a week between May 4 and September 13. The number of flights will return to three times a week from September 14 to October 24.

The Vancouver airport’s President and CEO, Craig Richmond, says the partnership has been years in the making.

“The people of Vancouver and B.C. have been looking for a flight directly to Paris for over twenty years,” he says. “It’s the number one most-requested destination.”

This makes for a perfect connection for anybody who’s planning on taking any of the number of new river cruises starting and finishing in France, several of them from Paris.

——–

More 50-year celebrations…

Blount Small Ship Adventures, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, will offer 10 itineraries for the season. They include some new and updated cruises, and some old favourites. From January to October, 2016, the cruises will visit Caribbean, Canadian and domestic destinations.

New will be Blount’s Legacy of New England cruise. The 16-day, 15-night itinerary travels throughout the

Blount will introduce new Caribbean sailings to its line-up in 2016 with two Bahamian cruises, one of them the first-ever Grand Bahamas cruise. Also a 16-day, 15-night itinerary, it will visit Turks and Caicos, as well as Mayaguana, Long Island, Great Exuma, Eleuthera and other little-known spots in the Bahamas.

Congratulations, Blount.

For a weekly newsletter from Ports and Bows with lots of cruise information and the best deals that we can find, click here to sign up: www.canada.com/newsletter.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-news-and-views-you-can-use-11/feed0SymphonyphilreimerArtistic impression of the proposed cruise ship terminal and resort on Australia's Gold CoastBlount shipNorway’s Ulsrud beats Canada’s Simmons in Page 1-2 game at men’s curling worldshttp://o.canada.com/sports/norways-ulsrud-beats-canadas-simmons-in-page-1-2-game-at-mens-curling-worlds
Sat, 04 Apr 2015 02:34:30 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=601283&preview_id=601283]]>HALIFAX — Canada will have to take the long road to get to the gold-medal game at the world men’s curling championship.

Pat Simmons dropped a 7-6 decision to Norway’s Thomas Ulsrud in the Page playoff 1-2 game Friday night at Scotiabank Centre. The win sent the defending champion straight to Sunday’s final while Simmons will have to win a semifinal on Saturday in order to play for the title.

“We’ve got to battle back here,” said Canada third John Morris. “If we can play like we did tonight and just capitalize on those opportunities, I like our chances here still.”

Ulsrud hit a draw to the four-foot to score one in the extra end of a rollicking back-and-forth game that could have gone either way. Simmons will play the winner of Saturday’s Page playoff 3-4 game between Finland’s Aku Kauste and Sweden’s Niklas Edin.

Simmons nearly won the game in the 10th end. He made a hit for one to tie it and almost scored a second point but his stone just rolled out.

“It’s a matter of grinning and bearing it and dealing with it,” Simmons said of the loss. “We’ll have to play a really good game tomorrow and that’s just the way it goes.”

Kauste defeated American John Shuster in a tiebreaker game earlier Friday to secure the fourth seed.

The semifinal loser will meet the 3-4 game loser for the bronze medal on Sunday.

Both Canada and Norway finished round-robin play with 10-1 records but Ulsrud took the top seed since he beat Simmons in their lone head-to-head round-robin meeting.

The Norwegian skip had hammer in the first end and he used it to make a draw to the four-foot for the early lead. Simmons answered with a hit and stay for a deuce in the second.

Ulsrud pulled even in the third and after a blanked end, put pressure on Simmons in the fifth. Norway was laying three but the Canadian skip coolly hit the button for a 3-2 lead.

The teams took turns making freezes near the button later in the sixth end. Ulsrud had final throw and just missed a runback to give Canada a steal of one.

Morris hit a double takeout in the seventh end to leave Canada sitting three with a chance to steal.

Ulsrud cleared one stone with his first throw and followed it up with a clutch raise double to score a pair and tie the game.

The throw was a game-changer — Ulsrud turned around and emphatically pumped his fist in the air after nailing it. Simmons gave him a friendly broom tap as he walked by to acknowledge the shot quality.

“They left that shot,” Ulsrud said. “I guess they could easily have won the game right there but we managed to tie it up and from there on it was really tight.”

Canada regained the lead in the eighth end as Simmons hit a draw to the button for a single. Ulsrud answered in the ninth with a hit for two and a 6-5 lead.

Ulsrud made up for third Torger Nergard’s weak shooting percentage of 70 per cent. The skip finished at 91 per cent and his team was at 81 per cent.

The Canadian team shot at 85 per cent and Simmons was at 81 per cent.

Canadian curling legend Randy Ferbey was honoured during the fifth-end break with his formal induction into the World Curling Hall of Fame. Ferbey, who was named to the Hall last year, won a record six national men’s titles.

Attendance picked up Friday in the 10,500-seat venue although most of the upper level was empty. A crowd of 2,788 took in the tiebreaker and 4,441 fans were on hand for the evening game.

Notes: Canada settled for a fourth-place finish at last year’s world championship in Beijing. … Edin won a world title in 2013. … Russ Howard and Ray Turnbull will be inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame on Saturday. … The between-end entertainment started prematurely in the first end. The event host started welcoming a young dance troupe to ice level before Ulsrud had thrown his final stone. The Norwegian skip laughed it off and calmly made his draw for a single. … The 2016 world men’s championship will be held in Basel, Switzerland. Canada’s last world title was won in Basel in 2012, when Glenn Howard took the gold.

]]>Thomas UlsrudthecanadianpressCruise lines sailing past North Americahttp://o.canada.com/news/cruise-lines-sailing-past-north-america
http://o.canada.com/news/cruise-lines-sailing-past-north-america#respondSat, 04 Apr 2015 03:00:39 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=600703]]>Cruise lines based in North America such as Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Corporation are moving quickly to solidify holds on China. It’s possible one other, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, might also be following suit.

It wasn’t that long ago — in fact, up to last year — that North American-based lines would never have considered bypassing their home continent when a new ship was launched. Although they did name some ships in Europe (Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, christened the Royal Princess in Southampton) and their ships did sail European waters for the summer, they traditionally returned to North America and the Caribbean for winter.

Now, that’s not always going to be the case.

Royal Caribbean declared its newest high-tech ship Quantum of the Seas was here to stay at a press conference last year in New York. Shortly thereafter, the cruise line changed its mind. The ship is still in New York but soon it will be off to its new and permanent home, Shanghai. There, Quantum of the Seas will sail quick turnarounds, mainly 4-night cruises that are expected to appeal to the Chinese.

While those cruises are short, they’re not cheap. On July 26, one of them has a starting price of over $1,000 US. More affluent Chinese people who holiday in Europe will be pushed to consider cruising to see that continent.

The third ship in the Quantum Class, Ovation of the Seas, will arrive in the spring of 2016. According to Royal Caribbean, it will then go straight from the Papenburg shipyard in Germany to Tianjin, China, 70 miles southeast of Beijing.

Other lines are moving quickly — at least by cruise standards — to get a foothold in China.

Carnival Corporation announced last week it will build nine ships for its nine brands between 2019 and 2022, and according to CEO Arnold Donald some of the ships will be purpose-built for China. They are holding back as to which ships will sail under which brands, and which brand(s) will be in China. I’m guessing Costa, Carnival’s Italian line, will be one since it already has three ships there.

Also, Frank Del Rio, the new head of Norwegian, is looking seriously at the market for one of his new ships in the not-yet-released Breakaway Plus Class.

Until now, we’ve been spoiled on this continent, and deservedly so. North America is the No. 1 cruise market in the world, but China is growing rapidly and destined to enjoy much larger consideration from the world’s cruise lines.

Incidentally, it’s not only China that cruise lines increasingly have in their sights. Carnival is moving two Holland America ships to its P&O Cruises Australia fleet in November, which will makes P&O the largest year-round cruise line Down Under.

Longer cruises in Asia with familiar brands will still be the norm out of ports like Hong Kong and Singapore, and longer cruises will continue to attract the North American market.

Tom Stieghorst of Travel Weekly put the future in perspective when he wrote: “Odds are the cruise industry’s storied past is not going to look like its future. A parochial industry with global reach is morphing into a multinational industry with a local-market emphasis. It’s a big change.”

Departs: Nov. 22 (also Jan. 3, 2016), Singapore return
Duration: 14 nights
Ports: An overnight in Singapore; three overnights in Benoa, Bali, and one in another Indonesian port, Komodo; then on to Phuket, Thailand; and two stops in Malaysia, at Penang and Port Kelang

For a weekly newsletter from Ports and Bows with lots of cruise information and the best deals that we can find, click here to sign up: www.canada.com/newsletter.

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/cruise-lines-sailing-past-north-america/feed0Royal CaribbeanphilreimerCommentary: Put a woman driver on every F1 teamhttp://o.canada.com/sports/commentary-put-a-women-driver-on-every-f1-team
Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:56:34 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=601048&preview_id=601048]]>PARIS — What a shame that Formula One’s next stop is China. Because its notoriously protest-intolerant government surely wouldn’t look kindly on crowds of demonstrators venting against Bernie Ecclestone’s latest putdown of women drivers.

Yet people should vent. Because there’s a whiff of sexual apartheid in the latest madcap suggestion from F1’s billionaire boss that teams should launch a championship exclusively for women.

Segregating female drivers in a separate, second-fiddle series that few fans will watch cannot be the best way to advance their cause. Instead, because F1 teams have been so resistant to change, the time has come to force their hand: Rule that they each must hire a woman driver and race them in at least two Grand Prix per season. More of that later.

To be fair to Ecclestone, perhaps his motivations are noble.

Perhaps he recognizes that the enduring stranglehold of men on F1, with no women actually racing and too few in positions of power behind the scenes, undercuts its pretentions of being the most modern of sports.

Or having declared 10 years ago that “women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances,” perhaps the 84-year-old wheeler-dealer who built F1’s commercial success is becoming a campaigning feminist?

Or perhaps not.

Parading women like this smacks suspiciously of being more about money, an attempt to use them to revive F1 television audiences, rather than being an about-face for equality.

“I thought it would be a good idea to give them a showcase. For some reason, women are not coming through — and not because we don’t want them. Of course we do, because they would attract a lot of attention and publicity and probably a lot of sponsors,” Ecclestone said in comments reported by British media.

“They could race before the main event, or perhaps on the Saturday qualifying day so that they had their own interest,” he was quoted as saying. “It would be super for F1 and the whole grand prix weekend.”

Again, to be fair, Ecclestone has found some support.

Carmen Jorda, a Spanish driver training with the Lotus F1 team, told The Associated Press she would rather be a world champion among women than finish a distant second-best to men. She also said the intense physicality of F1 driving is a barrier to equal competition between women and men.

“That’s why a woman will never be in the top, because of the physical issue,” Jorda said in a phone interview. “I don’t want to fight for 10th or 15th. What I want to do is to win.”

In the opposing camp are women like Michela Cerruti, an Italian who recently raced in the electric Formula E championship, and former rally driver Michele Mouton, who now works with the FIA governing body of motorsport.

By email, Mouton wrote “I am annoyed and very disappointed!” that Ecclestone maybe is thinking “about women only for the show!”

In a phone interview from her home in Milan, Cerruti said she wouldn’t want to be part of a women’s championship “made, basically, to attract attention” and which would be “much less interesting than seeing women racing against men.”

“It is really absurd that there’s not a woman (racing) nowadays in Formula One,” she said. “In the past two or three years they could have taken one of us.”

Well said. F1 has had ample time. And now the time for excuses has run out.

If Ecclestone really wants to help women drivers, he must get them onto F1’s grid with the men. Not just training in simulators like Jorda and in occasional tests like Williams’ Susie Wolff, but by ensuring that every race has one or more women drivers.

That could be done by forcing every team to hire a woman as a third driver. Doing so would, in turn, force teams to do a much better job of scouting and nurturing female talent. The teams’ two main male drivers would also all be made to skip a minimum of one race per season, giving the seat to their female colleague.

That would guarantee two races per season for each woman. But it also would ensure the continued integrity of the drivers’ championship, because each man would still compete in the same number of races as all the other men. So Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and all the other leading contenders would, for example, all race 18 of the 19 times per season. Teams would be free to choose which races the men sit out and could, of course, bench them more than once if and when the women prove to be faster.

Just an idea, to move things along and get more women started.

But better, surely, than making them race alone.

]]>Car-F1.jpgtheassociatedpresscanadaCanada warms up for Norway rematch with pair of wins at curling worldshttp://o.canada.com/sports/canada-warms-up-for-norway-rematch-with-pair-of-wins-at-curling-worlds
Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:08:18 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=601039&preview_id=601039]]>HALIFAX — Canada’s Pat Simmons warmed up for the playoffs Thursday by earning a pair of round-robin victories at the world men’s curling championship.

He edged Finland’s Aku Kauste 6-5 in the morning and topped Italy’s Joel Retornaz 7-6 in the afternoon at Scotiabank Centre. Next up is an appearance in Friday night’s Page playoff 1-2 game against defending champion Thomas Ulsrud of Norway.

It will be an opportunity for Simmons to avenge his lone loss at the tournament. The victor will also fast-track right to Sunday’s gold-medal game.

“They’re just a very good team from top to bottom,” Simmons said of the Norwegians. “They make shots and they put the rocks in good spots and they set up ends well. They can play all the shots as well that are necessary. They’re not unlike teams that we would play at the Brier.

“We’re used to that and it’s just a matter of us executing better.”

Simmons and Ulsrud finished tied in first place at 10-1. Norway, which beat Canada 9-3 on Tuesday, will get the top seed and choice of hammer or stones since it won the head-to-head meeting.

Canada opened the scoring against Italy with a pair and exchanged deuces before a blank in the fourth end. Retornaz pulled even in the fifth but Simmons replied with two more points in the sixth.

Italy put the pressure on with a deuce in the ninth end but Simmons had the hammer in the 10th and hit a takeout for the one-point win.

Simmons did well to escape the morning draw with a victory. He hit a draw for two in the 10th after Kauste flashed his final throw.

“Two situations where it was nice to have to make a decent last rock,” Simmons said. “That was a good practice I guess for me and they were good team shots. A couple gutty performances and a couple gutty wins.

“It feels a lot better than a couple (losses) going into tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

Sweden’s Niklas Edin (7-3) locked up the third seed and a spot in the Page 3-4 game on Saturday with a 7-6 win over China’s Jialiang Zang.

The top four teams will make the playoffs. Switzerland, the United States and Finland were all in the mix for the last spot.

American John Shuster beat Russia 6-5 in an extra end to move into fourth place at 6-5. Switzerland and Finland were next at 5-5 entering the evening draw.

If a tiebreaker is needed, it will be played Friday morning.

In the other early games, China dumped Scotland’s Ewan MacDonald 10-3 and Shuster topped Jiri Snitil of the Czech Republic 6-2.

Announced attendance in the morning was 1,712 at the 10,500-seat venue. Attendance was 2,103 in the afternoon.

The medal games are set for Sunday. Canada finished fourth at last year’s event in Beijing.

]]>Pat Simmons John MorristhecanadianpressCanada’s Simmons wins twice to lock up spot in Page playoff 1-2 gamehttp://o.canada.com/sports/simmons-rebounds-with-win-over-switzerland-at-worlds
Wed, 01 Apr 2015 19:09:11 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=600815&preview_id=600815]]>HALIFAX — Canada’s Pat Simmons rebounded from his first loss at the Ford world men’s curling championship by winning a pair of games Wednesday, locking up a spot in the Page playoff 1-2 game in the process.

Simmons beat Switzerland’s Marc Pfister 8-4 in the morning draw and topped Scotland’s Ewan MacDonald 7-1 in the evening at Scotiabank Centre. The Canadian team of Simmons, third John Morris, second Carter Rycroft and lead Nolan Thiessen will take an 8-1 record into the final day of round-robin play Thursday.

The top two seeds will meet Friday night in the 1-2 game with a berth in the final on the line. The third and fourth seeds will meet in Saturday’s 3-4 game with the winner to advance to the semifinal against the loser of the 1-2 game.

The semifinal winner will play for gold and the loser will play for bronze. The medal games are set for Sunday.

The Canadians, who suffered their only loss to defending champion Thomas Ulsrud of Norway on Tuesday night, are hoping to return to the podium after settling for a fourth-place finish last year in Beijing.

Simmons was in form from the start against Scotland, picking up steals in the first three ends for an early 3-0 lead. MacDonald got one back in the fourth with an open hit, but Simmons answered with another single in the fifth end.

Canada took a 5-1 lead in the sixth end and the teams blanked the seventh. MacDonald conceded after giving up a steal of two in the eighth end.

Ulsrud, meanwhile, took a 7-1 record into his evening game against Jiri Snitil of the Czech Republic. A victory would give Norway a share of first place and the other berth in the 1-2 game.

Sweden’s Niklas Edin, the 2013 world champion, picked up two victories to move into sole possession of third place at 6-3, while Switzerland lost twice to fall to 5-4. Several teams still had a chance at a tiebreaker game appearance entering play Wednesday night.

In the morning victory, Simmons hit a takeout to score three in the fourth end and stole two more points in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

“I’m happy to see that we bounced back,” he said. “We were ready to play this morning against a good team and managed to play pretty well.”

With the game well in hand, Canadian alternate Tom Sallows replaced Rycroft in the seventh end.

Canada opened the round robin with six straight victories before falling to Ulsrud. The Norwegian skip defeated Italy’s Joel Retornaz 9-2 in the minimum six ends in his morning game.

“We got a good start and picked up from where we left off yesterday against Canada,” Ulsrud said. “We have a lot of confidence in the ice and it’s really coming together right now.

“The only thing I’m worried about right now is the guys peaking too early in the week, so we just have to keep it going.”

Several groups of schoolkids watched the morning action from the upper level of seats. That helped boost attendance to 1,680 at the 10,500-seat venue.

Only 1,237 fans took in the afternoon action. Attendance rose significantly for the evening draw with Canada back on the ice.

Glenn Howard was the last Canadian skip to win this event. He took the gold at the 2012 competition in Basel, Switzerland.

]]>CUR World Men 20150329thecanadianpressUndefeated Canada cruises to two more wins at curling worldshttp://o.canada.com/sports/canada-crushes-czech-republic-at-mens-curling-worlds
Mon, 30 Mar 2015 18:44:56 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=600399&preview_id=600399]]>HALIFAX — With three days of round-robin competition complete, the Canadian side skipped by Pat Simmons is showing it’s the team to beat at the Ford world men’s curling championship.

Simmons picked up two more wins Monday to remain undefeated at the 12-team event. He whipped the Czech Republic 11-2 in the morning draw and improved to 5-0 with a 9-3 rout of Russia in the evening.

“You’re always going to have those ends here and there when you need that freeze or you need that big shot — and he’s making all of them,” second Carter Rycroft said of Simmons. “The difference is if he misses three or four of them, we’re sitting here talking to you at 3-2 or 2-3. It’s that simple.”

Expectations were rather mixed for the Canadians this week given that they played a limited schedule this season and switched skips midway through the Tim Hortons Brier. But Simmons has shown that he still has the skipper’s touch while Morris has settled in nicely at third.

The solid front end of Rycroft and lead Nolan Thiessen has also helped the host side in the early going.

“One thing I think this team has really done well — considering games-wise we’re still a pretty young team — is just how natural our communication is,” Simmons said. “The discussions seem to come easy and that’s a pleasure.”

In the nightcap, the teams blanked two ends before Russia’s Evgeny Arkhipov drew to the four-foot for a single in the third.

Simmons answered with three in the fourth end and tacked on another point in the fifth.

Simmons hit a draw for a pair in the seventh end and added three in the ninth for the victory.

Defending champion Thomas Ulsrud of Norway improved to 4-1 with a 6-5 win over Sweden’s Niklas Edin. Switzerland’s Marc Pfister joined Ulsrud in second place after a 7-4 win over China.

The Czech Republic, Finland and Japan were tied in fourth place at 3-2 after eight draws.

Canada was tested over its first three games before Monday morning’s six-end rout.

“It’s a mental grind all week so if you can have a little bit of a breather that way, it’s nice for sure,” Simmons said.

The Canadians opened the competition Saturday with an extra-end victory over the U.S. and were pushed by China and Sweden the next day. On Monday morning, Czech skip Jiri Snitil opened the scoring before Simmons put up four points in the second end and then tacked on a pair of three-enders.

“It was one of those games where we made a couple key shots and it really completely changed the outlook of the game,” Simmons said.

Canadian team alternate Thomas Sallows picked up some ice time by entering the game in the fifth end, giving Rycroft a break.

Attendance was weak at all three draws at Scotiabank Centre. Hundreds of schoolkids watched the morning action from the upper deck to pad the total to 1,374.

Only 1,129 took in the afternoon session in the 10,500-seat venue and 1,687 were on hand in the evening.

Canada will play Japan’s Yusuke Morozumi on Tuesday afternoon before a feature evening game against Norway.

Round-robin play continues through Thursday. The Page playoffs begin Friday and the medal games are scheduled for Sunday.

Canada is hoping to return to the podium after settling for a fourth-place finish last year in Beijing.

HALIFAX — Pat Simmons has been in fine form since replacing John Morris as skip earlier this month.

Simmons guided the Canadian team to victory at the Tim Hortons Brier in Calgary and has picked up where he left off at the Ford world men’s curling championship. The host rink opened with an impressive 11-10 victory over the U.S. on Saturday night and added two more victories Sunday to improve to 3-0.

“He’s been amazing, just like he was in the Brier,” Morris said. “He’s kept it up, which is awesome to see and he’s a great leader. He’s really easy to play for. He just seems more comfortable in that skip role than that third role and vice-versa for me.”

Simmons defeated China’s Jialiang Zang 7-4 on Sunday afternoon and topped Sweden’s Niklas Edin 9-6 in the evening at Scotiabank Centre. That left the Canadian team of Simmons, Morris, Carter Rycroft and Nolan Thiessen alone in first place after five draws.

“The longer we stay with that bagel in the loss column, the better,” Thiessen said.

The Morris-Simmons positional change was a big story at the national championship and it’s still a talking point at the world playdowns.

The host broadcaster aired a feature segment dubbed “The Switch” over the weekend. The Eye Opener newspaper gave the topic some ink Sunday, but used a different approach.

The headline “Should Have Called Martin” appeared above a picture of Kevin Martin, who teamed with Morris to win Olympic gold five years ago. A column in the Curling Canada publication, which is distributed on site at the arena, included an interview with the retired skip.

In the piece, Martin suggested Morris didn’t have the right personality to skip and is a much better fit as a third. Morris said he saw the headline but didn’t read the story.

“Kevin and I, to be honest with you, we don’t have a bad relationship,” Morris said. “We’re not the best of friends but it’s not like we don’t like each other. We did some great things together and we have a good mutual respect that way.”

Morris had heard critical comments in the past about his skipping ability, but tried not to pay attention to it. It’s a rather moot point at this juncture anyway, given the positional changes.

After a limited schedule this season, a 2-3 start at the Brier was enough for Morris to demote himself and move Simmons into the skip role. The team has thrived ever since.

“We’re proving right now, especially with Pat, he’s a better skip than I think he was a third,” Morris said.

Defending champion Thomas Ulsrud of Norway edged Russia’s Evgeny Arkhipov 7-6 in an extra end to improve to 2-1. Norway was joined by Switzerland, Italy, the Czech Republic and Japan in a tie for second place.

Sweden, China, Russia, the U.S., and Finland were next at 1-2 and Scotland was the lone winless rink at 0-3.

Canada will play the Czech Republic and Russia on Monday. Round-robin play continues through Thursday.

“A lot of the game and success for teams has to do with dynamics,” Morris said. “It’s something that we have. We have a great dynamic. Our team has dealt with a lot this year and found ways to win. I find creating a story like that just to create a buzz and to create some negative thought, it just doesn’t jive with me.

“I wasn’t a big fan and same thing with the rest of my team. We’re just going to focus on how we’ve been doing well.”

Simmons handled skipping duties on a different team for years before moving to third five years ago. He has embraced the return to skip and is quite comfortable throwing last stones.

Morris left Martin’s rink two years ago after a successful seven-year run that included national, world and Olympic titles. A message left with Martin, who retired last year, wasn’t immediately returned.

Morris was less than pleased with the author of the column, saying he probably won’t talk to him again at this tournament or for the rest of his career. He wants to concentrate on positive things and won’t be reading any press clippings.

“We’re not focusing on that stuff this week,” he said. “We’re focusing on winning the world championship, seafood, and maybe a beer or two at the Lower Deck. That’s about it.”

The International Olympic Committee inspection is a key test of Beijing’s status as a front-runner in the bid race against Almaty, Kazakhstan. Beijing is seeking to become the first city to host both the summer and winter games.

Beijing officials said the 19-member IOC evaluation commission’s visits to Beijing’s indoor sites for hockey, skating and curling, along with the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium used for the 2008 Summer Games, all went as planned. Later in the week, the commission will visit the proposed skiing and sliding venues further outside the city.

As they did in the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, human rights groups have argued that the communist government’s restrictions on civil and political liberties make it an unfit candidate to host the games.

Pro-Tibetan and other groups say the IOC’s strengthened support for basic human rights embedded in its Olympic Agenda 2020 adopted last year has raised the bar for candidate cities. Rights groups have also called for Kazakhstan’s record to be scrutinized.

Bid spokeswoman Wang Hui responded Tuesday by defending China’s record in improving living standards for its citizens and described bid opponents as “certain individuals who will seize the opportunity to serve their own interests and purposes.”

“This sort of behaviour goes against the Olympic spirit and shows disrespect to the big Olympic family,” Wang said at an evening news briefing.

“We support the Olympic spirit and the Olympic charter and hold that sports and politics should be kept separate, and we oppose any behaviour aimed at disrupting the games in the name of a political aim,” she added.

The Communist Party-backed newspaper Global Times also waded into the fray, publishing an editorial accusing bid critics of stirring up trouble and “ignoring Chinese reality.”

“These groups need to understand the majority Chinese view about human rights,” the paper said. “Chinese people are already tired of their constant manipulation and quibbling and the day can’t be far off when the Western world gets sick of them too.”

Beijing’s notorious air pollution is another concern for bid organizers, and the benchmark PM2.5 air quality reading topped 150 around midday Tuesday, more than six times what the World Health Organization considers safe.

Beijing plans to tackle the problem by closing factories and coal-fired power plants, and junking heavily polluting vehicles. Organizers say holding the Olympics will put added momentum behind those efforts.

Other issues include a lack of natural snow and the roughly 200-kilometre distance between Beijing’s indoor venues and those where Nordic skiing and other outdoor events will be held. Work has already begun on a high-speed rail line that will reduce travel time from Beijing’s northern suburbs to just 50 minutes.

Chinese organizers say Beijing hosting the games would be a boon for winter sports globally by raising their profile in the world’s most populous nation. Although China’s interest in winter sports is relatively new, about 300 million Chinese live in areas with sufficient conditions for skiing and other winter pastimes.

Most of Beijing’s proposed venues and other facilities are left over from the 2008 Games, leading to significant cost savings in keeping with the IOC goals for a more frugal, sustainable and athlete-oriented games.

In all, Beijing plans to spend $3.9 billion US on infrastructure and operations, a small fraction of the $51 billion spent by Russia on the 2014 Sochi Games

The IOC inspectors concluded a visit to Almaty last month, after which Kazakh organizers announced venue changes they say will save more than $500 million.

The IOC will select the host city on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

At this point, I’m going by sources that are indicating as many as a 200 of the 1,000-plus staff may have been part of staff cuts. The cuts were expected when Norwegian acquired Prestige Cruise Holdings, which owns two other lines — Oceania and Regent Seven Seas.

In a statement, Norwegian said: “The new structure maintains dedicated leadership and support for each of the individual brands, ensuring brand distinction and the highest quality guest experience, while finding efficiencies.”

Meanwhile, still with Norwegian…

The line is considering sending its 2018 Breakaway Plus Class new-build to China, according to Timothy Conder, CPA and senior analyst at Wells Fargo Securities, following meetings with the cruise line’s management.

In a note to investors, Conder said Norwegian would evaluate the positioning in China, of Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and, if that was successful, follow suit with its own new ship in 2018.

——–

Is this your favourite colour?

Chartreuse will be the name of the new specialty French restaurant on the new Regent Seven Seas Explorer. For those travelling on Voyager and Mariner, the Chartreuse menu will replace what you now find at Signatures on those ships.

On the new Explorer, the cuisine and ambience is classic French, but “with a modern twist.”

A large panoramic rendering of the restaurant showed an elegant design with an art nouveau-themed decor.

Every seat will have an ocean view, and the menu will include items such as Charolais steak tartare in a

While the new Scenic Amber “Space-Ship” will be sailing Europe’s main rivers, the other new one — Scenic Azure — is being built specifically for Scenic’s newest not-to-be-missed itinerary: Portugal’s Douro River and its valley of terraced vineyards and charming ports. This stunning luxury vessel has the same amenities as its cousins but will carry only 96 guests.

Cuba Cruise’s operation in Calgary is adding on to the 2015-16 season, which will be extended to the end of April, according to Dugald Wells, president of Cuba Cruise, which sails the Louis Cristal seasonally on a charter agreement with Louis Group.

Sailing week-long cruises to Cuban ports, the ship will make a Friday call in Montego Bay for fuel and

The Louis Cristal, which already operates cruises to Cuba, with bookings from Calgary

provisions. Guests board in either Montego Bay or Havana. More and more bookings are coming from Europe and America, Wells added.

The itinerary remained roughly the same for the 2014-2015 season, but some port calls were tweaked in terms of hours.

——–

Bernard and Janice, you are cruising fools!

Bernard and Janice Caffary are from Lakeland, Florida and have taken over 180 cruises in their lifetimes. Of the 180 cruises, 99 have been on the Carnival Sensation, 42 on other Carnival cruise ships, and another 40 on other cruise lines.

According to the cruise line, no other Carnival passenger in history has cruised this many times on one ship. Why do the Caffarys cruise so much on the Sensation? They told Florida Today they enjoy interacting with the ship’s crew, attending the shows, and the food. They spend most of their cruises on the ship and rarely get offat ports.

Sounds like Carnival ships have become their Florida backyard…except someone else is doing the cooking.

——–

China news seem to be continuous these days.

It could be the top destination for cruising by 2020. If it is, Royal Caribbean is making a significant contribution.

There is a rumour that the third Quantum Class cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, will be heading for China according to Royal Caribbean’s blog. I expect to know soon, possibly when I attend the launch of Anthem of the Seas in Southampton next month.

——–

The cost of getting to your ship in Europe is sometimes more than the cruise.

The most popular European low-cost carrier, Ryanair, plans to launch Transatlantic service by 2020 with routes between several cities.

The Ireland-based company is in discussions to acquire long-haul aircraft, and estimated those

acquisitions would take four to five years. Ryanair declined to provide further detail on such talks.

“European consumers want lower-cost travel to the U.S., and the same for Americans coming to Europe,” the company said in a statement. “We see it as a logical development in the European market. We would like to offer low-cost flights between 12-14 European cities and 12-14 U.S. cities.”

Ryanair is no Johnny-come-lately. Founded in 1985, it operates more than 300 aircraft and about 1,600 daily flights, or about half as many as Southwest in the U.S.

or a weekly newsletter from Ports and Bows with lots of cruise information and the best deals that we can find, click here to sign up: www.canada.com/newsletter.

]]>http://o.canada.com/travel/ports-and-bows/cruise-news-and-views-you-can-use-9/feed0BreakawayphilreimerRegent Svene Seas Explorer, coming in 2017The Louis Cristal, which already operates cruises to Cuba, with bookings from CalgaryRyanair-pdIOC to inspect Beijing’s bid for 2022 Winter Gameshttp://o.canada.com/sports/ioc-to-inspect-beijings-bid-for-2022-winter-games
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:23:37 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=599173&preview_id=599173]]>BEIJING — An IOC evaluation commission began meetings in Beijing on Monday in preparation for a five-day inspection of the city’s bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

The 19-member commission begins visiting sites for hockey, ice skating and other events in central Beijing on Tuesday before checking proposed skiing and sliding venues further outside the city.

Beijing is competing against Almaty, Kazakhstan, and is seeking to become the first city to host both the summer and winter games.

Chinese organizers say hosting the games would raise the profile of winter sports in the world’s most populous nation. Most of the proposed venues are left over from the 2008 Games, leading to significant cost savings in keeping with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 goals for a more frugal, athlete-oriented games whose legacy will live on with robust sports programs and continuing use of venues.

The International Olympic Committee will select the host city on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In all, Beijing plans to spend $3.9 billion on infrastructure and operations, a tiny fraction of the $51 billion US spent by Russia on the 2014 Sochi Games.

“We have developed a highly robust games concept, founded on athlete-centred, sustainable and economical principles,” Beijing mayor Wang Anshun was quoted as saying by the bid organizing committee.

The inspectors concluded a visit to Almaty last month, after which Kazakh organizers announced several venue changes they say will make the games more efficient and save more than $500 million, in a nod to the Agenda 2020 reforms.

Almaty is selling its bid largely on Kazakhstan’s long winter sports tradition and the nearness of competition venues to the city centre, in contrast with Beijing’s far-flung facilities and relatively new appreciation for winter sports.

Other key concerns include a lack of natural snow and Beijing’s notorious air pollution. Pro-Tibetan and human rights groups have also urged the IOC to consider China’s record of abuse of civil and political liberties and gender discrimination in making its decision, citing strengthened support for basic human rights embedded in the 2020 Agenda.

Abuses have worsened since the 2008 Games, Human Rights Watch’s China Director Sophie Richardson said in a statement.

President Xi Jinping has unleashed the harshest campaign against government critics in a decade, along with tightened curbs on the media, universities and legal profession, she said.

“Instead of the promised improvements, the 2008 Summer Olympics prompted a crackdown. Seven years later, civil society is again enduring an extraordinary assault. It will be hard for the IOC to reconcile its new standards with the Chinese government’s track record,” Richardson said.

The Beijing 2022 Bid Committee has said it was natural for groups to raise issues, but would “stand by the effort to keep politics and sport separate.”

The Winnipeg skip topped China’s Sijia Liu 7-1 in the morning draw and the held off Russia’s Anna Sidorova 7-5 at the Tsukisamu Gymnasium.

“I was happy with how we played — we finally had two games back to back where we played well and made some big shots and some big draws,” Jones said. “It was a big win, so we’re happy.”

Jones and her team of third Kaitlyn Lawes, second Jill Officer and lead Dawn McEwen were tied with Russia, Japan and Switzerland at 4-1 after eight draws.

In the late game, Canada went ahead to stay in the seventh end when Lawes made an inturn draw behind cover that the Russians couldn’t remove. That allowed Jones to make an open hit for two for a 6-3 lead.

Russia would pull within one with a pair in the ninth. But two perfect ticks from McEwen started the 10th end and Jones finished it with a draw to the button for the victory.

“That was a fun day, it felt good,” said McEwen. “We picked it up after our loss to Sweden (on Sunday) and it feels like things are starting to fall into place. We made some shots and Jen made a pistol there for the win, so that felt great.”

In the early game against China, Jones scored a deuce in the third and added singles in four of the next five ends.

McEwen had a strong effort in both games. She threw at an 88 per cent clip against China and was at 87 per cent against Russia.

Her teammates had shooting percentages in the mid-70s for both games. However, they managed to get results when needed, especially against Russia.

“We had a great day today,” Jones said. “We made a ton of draws, a ton of big shots and I felt really good with the speed of the ice this game. I felt like we had a lot more control.

“In the other games, it felt like we were chasing a lot and having to make big shots to save ends instead of big shots for extra points. That changed today and hopefully, that change will stay for the rest of the week.”

China, Germany and Scotland were tied in fifth place at 3-2. Finland and Sweden were next at 2-3.

On Tuesday, Canada will play Aileen Sormunen of the U.S. (0-5) and Denmark’s Lene Nielsen (0-5).

The top four teams at the end of round-robin play will advance to the Page playoffs.

A Canadian team hasn’t won gold at this event since Jones did so in 2008. The five-time national champion made her world championship debut in 2005 and won a silver medal in 2010.

Canada leads all countries with 15 gold medals and 31 podium appearances at the world championship since 1979. Sweden is next with eight gold and 23 total medals.

]]>Jennifer JonesthecanadianpressPhotos March 3: Top images from around the worldhttp://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-3-top-images-from-around-the-world
http://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-3-top-images-from-around-the-world#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:25:01 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=595266]]>The day’s best photos, as selected by editors at Postmedia News, are a stunning collection of the greatest images from around the world.

View of the Volcano Villarrica in southern Chile which began erupting on March 03, 2015 forcing the evacuation of some 3,000 people in nearby villages, the government said. FRANCISCO NEGRONI/AFP/Getty Images

A helicopter water bombs fire in the Tokai Forest near Cape Town, South Africa. A wildfire continues to burn across the city’s southern peninsula Tuesday, March 3, 2015 after breaking out Sunday with firefighting re-enforcements being flown in to assist with battling the blaze (AP Photo/Mark Wessels)

A boy sits on a pavement outside their burnt home following an overnight fire that razed a slum dwellers community Tuesday in Manila, Philippines. No casualties were reported in the 9-hour fire that razed more than a thousand homes and rendered at least 3,000 families. March is declared “Fire Prevention Month” throughout the country. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

People stand at the coffin of Boris Nemtsov during a burial ceremony at Troekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia. One by one, thousands of mourners and dignitaries filed past the white-lined coffin of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov on Tuesday, many offering flowers as they paid their last respects to one of the most prominent figures of Russia’s beleaguered opposition. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)

Relatives comfort each other near the grave of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov during a burial ceremony at Moscow’s Troekurovskoye cemetery. DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty Images

Student protesters wearing traditional Burmese hats shout slogans during a sit-in in Letpadan, north of Yangon, Myanma. Hundreds of police have formed a human chain around student protesters staging a sit-in on a road Tuesday after being blocked from marching to Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, to scrap a newly passed education law that they say curbs academic freedom. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)

A Chinese military band rehearses before the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. The more than 2,000 members of China’s top legislative advisory body convened their annual meeting Tuesday, kicking off a political high season that will continue with the opening of the national congress later in the week. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Indian widows dance as they celebrate Holi or “festival of colors” in Vrindavan. Widows congregated on a small patio of the ashram in which they live and danced and played with colored powder to celebrate the occasion. The widows of this and other ashrams in this northern town are sponsored by the NGO, Sulabh International which funds most of their needs. Shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition, many Indian widows have been otracized from society and no longer live with their families and are forced to beg for food. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images

A Hindu widow lies on a sludgy ground filled with a mixture of colored powder, water and flower petals during celebrations to mark Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Meera Sahabhagini Widow Ashram in Vrindavan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A woman poses inside the mockup of a car at the Opel booth during the press day of the Geneva Car Show in Geneva. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images

]]>http://o.canada.com/technology/photos-march-3-top-images-from-around-the-world/feed1Chile Volcano Eruptionpostmedianews1View of the Volcano Villarrica in southern Chile which began erupting on March 03, 2015 forcing the evacuation of some 3,000 people in nearby villages, the government said. FRANCISCO NEGRONI/AFP/Getty ImagesA helicopter water bombs fire in the Tokai Forest near Cape Town, South Africa. A wildfire continues to burn across the city's southern peninsula Tuesday, March 3, 2015 after breaking out Sunday with firefighting re-enforcements being flown in to assist with battling the blaze (AP Photo/Mark Wessels)A boy sits on a pavement outside their burnt home following an overnight fire that razed a slum dwellers community Tuesday in Manila, Philippines. No casualties were reported in the 9-hour fire that razed more than a thousand homes and rendered at least 3,000 families. March is declared "Fire Prevention Month" throughout the country. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)People stand at the coffin of Boris Nemtsov during a burial ceremony at Troekurovskoye cemetery in Moscow, Russia. One by one, thousands of mourners and dignitaries filed past the white-lined coffin of slain Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov on Tuesday, many offering flowers as they paid their last respects to one of the most prominent figures of Russia's beleaguered opposition. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)Relatives comfort each other near the grave of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov during a burial ceremony at Moscow's Troekurovskoye cemetery. DMITRY SEREBRYAKOV/AFP/Getty ImagesStudent protesters wearing traditional Burmese hats shout slogans during a sit-in in Letpadan, north of Yangon, Myanma. Hundreds of police have formed a human chain around student protesters staging a sit-in on a road Tuesday after being blocked from marching to Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city, to scrap a newly passed education law that they say curbs academic freedom. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)A Chinese military band rehearses before the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing's Great Hall of the People. The more than 2,000 members of China's top legislative advisory body convened their annual meeting Tuesday, kicking off a political high season that will continue with the opening of the national congress later in the week. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)Indian widows dance as they celebrate Holi or "festival of colors" in Vrindavan. Widows congregated on a small patio of the ashram in which they live and danced and played with colored powder to celebrate the occasion. The widows of this and other ashrams in this northern town are sponsored by the NGO, Sulabh International which funds most of their needs. Shunned from society when their husbands die, not for religious reasons, but because of tradition, many Indian widows have been otracized from society and no longer live with their families and are forced to beg for food. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty ImagesA Hindu widow lies on a sludgy ground filled with a mixture of colored powder, water and flower petals during celebrations to mark Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Meera Sahabhagini Widow Ashram in Vrindavan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)A woman poses inside the mockup of a car at the Opel booth during the press day of the Geneva Car Show in Geneva. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotos Feb 24: Top images from around the worldhttp://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-24-top-images-from-around-the-world
http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-24-top-images-from-around-the-world#commentsTue, 24 Feb 2015 16:26:49 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=593723]]>The day’s best photos, as selected by editors at Postmedia News, are a stunning collection of the greatest images from around the world.

Algerian protesters scuffle with security forces during a demonstration called by associations and opposition parties against the exploitation of shale gas in Algeria in the capital Algiers. Algeria’s state-owned energy giant Sonatrach plans to invest at least $70 billion over the next 20 years to exploit shale gas despite huge public opposition. FAROUK BATICHE/AFP/Getty Images

Indian woman J.Subba Lakshmi, grieves over the body of her son Jagananthan Sravan Kumar, after he was killed in an explosion that occurred at Gulf Oil Corporation Limited company (Explosives Division) in Hyderabad. An explosion at lubricants maker Gulf Oil Corp’s unit in southern India killed two people and injured at least 13 others late February 23, police said. NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty Images

Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, right in cage, and former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, stand behind bars in a courtroom during a retrial hearing that acquitted them over charges of squandering public money in Cairo, Egypt. The case stems from allegations they collaborated in awarding a German firm a contract to import license plates by direct order. (AP Photo/El Shorouk, Aly Hazzaa)

Rabbis take part in a first aid training during the Conference of European Rabbis in Prague, Czech Republic. Due to the recent attacks on Jewish communities in Europe, part of the conference was a self defense and first aid training. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

A US Airways Express plane is de-iced at the Indianapolis International Airport, in Indianapolis. The early morning temperature at the airport was below zero. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A Chinese man looks out as the sun sets on the lake during a Temple Fair for the Spring Festival at Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

A Chinese girl eats cotton candy as the sun sets on the lake at Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Acrobatic pilots perform at the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airfield in the city of Lara, southwest of Melbourne. Some 180,000 patrons were expected through the gates over the duration of the event. PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-24-top-images-from-around-the-world/feed1India Protestpostmedianews1Algerian protesters scuffle with security forces during a demonstration called by associations and opposition parties against the exploitation of shale gas in Algeria in the capital Algiers. Algeria's state-owned energy giant Sonatrach plans to invest at least $70 billion over the next 20 years to exploit shale gas despite huge public opposition. FAROUK BATICHE/AFP/Getty ImagesIndian woman J.Subba Lakshmi, grieves over the body of her son Jagananthan Sravan Kumar, after he was killed in an explosion that occurred at Gulf Oil Corporation Limited company (Explosives Division) in Hyderabad. An explosion at lubricants maker Gulf Oil Corp's unit in southern India killed two people and injured at least 13 others late February 23, police said. NOAH SEELAM/AFP/Getty ImagesFormer Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, right in cage, and former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly, stand behind bars in a courtroom during a retrial hearing that acquitted them over charges of squandering public money in Cairo, Egypt. The case stems from allegations they collaborated in awarding a German firm a contract to import license plates by direct order. (AP Photo/El Shorouk, Aly Hazzaa) Rabbis take part in a first aid training during the Conference of European Rabbis in Prague, Czech Republic. Due to the recent attacks on Jewish communities in Europe, part of the conference was a self defense and first aid training. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)A construction worker walks on scaffolding to renovate Wat Mai Phi Ren temple in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)A US Airways Express plane is de-iced at the Indianapolis International Airport, in Indianapolis. The early morning temperature at the airport was below zero. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)A Chinese man looks out as the sun sets on the lake during a Temple Fair for the Spring Festival at Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)A Chinese girl eats cotton candy as the sun sets on the lake at Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)Acrobatic pilots perform at the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airfield in the city of Lara, southwest of Melbourne. Some 180,000 patrons were expected through the gates over the duration of the event. PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotos Feb 16: Top images from around the worldhttp://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-16-top-images-from-around-the-world
http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-16-top-images-from-around-the-world#respondMon, 16 Feb 2015 17:56:05 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=591794]]>The day’s best photos, as selected by editors at Postmedia News, are a stunning collection of the greatest images from around the world.

Philadelphia firefighters work the scene of an overnight blaze in west Philadelphia, where ice has formed from the water used to fight the fire. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

A Philadelphia firefighter works the scene of an overnight blaze in west Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)

A young Chinese traveler wheels her bag as others wait in the departure area for a train at a local railway station in Beijing, China. Millions of Chinese will travel home to visit families in mass during the Spring Festival holiday period that begins with the Lunar New Year on February 19. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Forest ranger Stefan Wichmann checks the gigantic icicles and the ice walls during his inspection tour along the dragon canyon (Drachenschlucht) at the Thuringian Forest near Eisenach, Germany, Monday. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)

A Hindu holy man smokes marijuana sitting at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple as devotees start arriving on the eve of “Shivaratri” festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Revelers of the Vila Isabel samba school perform during the first day of carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty

People wait for the carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian servicemen sit on an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at a checkpoint near the town of Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region. ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian soldiers prepare to drive in the direction of the embattled town of Debaltseve in Artemivsk, Ukraine. A ceasefire that went into effect two days ago has been generally respected aside from Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters and the battle continues. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

Syrian children wearing orange jumpsuits stand inside a cage placed near the debris of a building destroyed in bombardment by Syrian government forces on the rebel-held Damascus subrb of Douma, during a protest to denounce the continuing killing of civilians in the Syrian conflict and the failure of the international community to stop the carnage. During the protest organised by Syrian activists, the children were immitating Jordanian air force pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh, who was reportedly burned alive by jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group, an act that was condemned by Muslim and Western leaders. ABD DOUMANY/AFP/Getty Images

A man is comforted by others as he mourns over Egyptian Coptic Christians who were captured in Libya and killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group, outside of the Virgin Mary church in the village of el-Aour, near Minya, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Egyptian Coptic men mourn for 21 Coptic Egyptian men seized by Islamic State militants in the central city of Sirte, Libya, more than a month ago at the Virgin Mary Church in the village of el-Aour, near Minya, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

A relative of one of the Egyptian Coptic Christians purportedly murdered by Islamic State (IS) group militants in Libya reacts after hearing the news on February 16, 2015 in the village of Al-Awar in Egypt’s southern province of Minya. MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty Images

Flowers are pictured in front of the cultural center Krudttonden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Shots were fired during a debate on Islam and free speech on February 14, 2015, and killed one person and wounded several police officers after opening fire. A alleged offender to Saturday’s shooting attacks was killed by police yesterday. The 22-year old killed Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein are suspicious of two shootings in the city at a freedom of expression event and a synagogue which killed two people and wounded five. SOEREN BIDSTRUP/AFP/Getty Images []

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-16-top-images-from-around-the-world/feed0Winter Weather Pennsylvaniapostmedianews1Philadelphia firefighters work the scene of an overnight blaze in west Philadelphia Monday Feb. 16, 2015, where ice has formed from the water used to fight the fire. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)A Philadelphia firefighter works the scene of an overnight blaze in west Philadelphia, Monday Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma)A young Chinese traveler wheels her bag as others wait in the departure area for a train at a local railway station in Beijing, China. Millions of Chinese will travel home to visit families in mass during the Spring Festival holiday period that begins with the Lunar New Year on February 19. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)Penguins dressed in Chinese traditional costumes walk at Harbin Polar Land decorated with Chinese Lunar New Year theme in Harbin in northeast China's Heilongjiang province Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo) CHINA OUTForest ranger Stefan Wichmann checks the gigantic icicles and the ice walls during his inspection tour along the dragon canyon (Drachenschlucht) at the Thuringian Forest near Eisenach, Germany, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)A Hindu holy man smokes marijuana sitting at the courtyard of the Pashupatinath temple as devotees start arriving on the eve of "Shivaratri" festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)Revelers of the Vila Isabel samba school perform during the first day of carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on February 16, 2015. VANDERLEI ALMEIDA/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople wait for the carnival parade at the Sambodrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty ImagesUkrainian servicemen sit on an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) at a checkpoint near the town of Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region, on February 16, 2015. ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty ImagesUkrainian soldiers prepare to drive in the direction of the embattled town of Debaltseve in Artemivsk, Ukraine. A ceasefire that went into effect two days ago has been generally respected aside from Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters and the battle continues. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)Syrian children wearing orange jumpsuits stand inside a cage placed near the debris of a building destroyed in bombardment by Syrian government forces on the rebel-held Damascus subrb of Douma, during a protest to denounce the continuing killing of civilians in the Syrian conflict and the failure of the international community to stop the carnage. During the protest organised by Syrian activists, the children were immitating Jordanian air force pilot Maaz al-Kassasbeh, who was reportedly burned alive by jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group, an act that was condemned by Muslim and Western leaders. ABD DOUMANY/AFP/Getty ImagesA man is comforted by others as he mourns over Egyptian Coptic Christians who were captured in Libya and killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group, outside of the Virgin Mary church in the village of el-Aour, near Minya, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)Egyptian Coptic men mourn for 21 Coptic Egyptian men seized by Islamic State militants in the central city of Sirte, Libya, more than a month ago at the Virgin Mary Church in the village of el-Aour, near Minya, 220 kilometers (135 miles) south of Cairo, Egypt, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)A relative of one of the Egyptian Coptic Christians purportedly murdered by Islamic State (IS) group militants in Libya reacts after hearing the news on February 16, 2015 in the village of Al-Awar in Egypt's southern province of Minya. MOHAMED EL-SHAHED/AFP/Getty ImagesFlowers are pictured in front of the cultural center Krudttonden in Copenhagen, Denmark. Shots were fired during a debate on Islam and free speech on February 14, 2015, and killed one person and wounded several police officers after opening fire. A alleged offender to Saturday's shooting attacks was killed by police yesterday. The 22-year old killed Omar Abdel Hamid El-Hussein are suspicious of two shootings in the city at a freedom of expression event and a synagogue which killed two people and wounded five. SOEREN BIDSTRUP/AFP/Getty ImagesCanadian shot putter Dylan Amstrong finally slips Olympic bronze medal around his neckhttp://o.canada.com/sports/canadian-shot-putter-finally-slips-olympic-bronze-medal-around-his-neck
Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:32:17 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=591756&preview_id=591756]]>KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Chants of “Dylan, Dylan” broke out in the Tournament Capital Centre as Dylan Armstrong walked the red carpet towards his Olympic bronze medal Sunday.

Six and a half years after the performance that earned it, the shot putter celebrated his achievement in his hometown of Kamloops, B.C., and in the fieldhouse where he trains.

Canadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong is awarded his Beijing 2008 bronze medal by Canadian Olympic Committee member Hayley Wickenheiser. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff Bassett

Armstrong was finally presented with his bronze medal from the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. He is the first Canadian to win an Olympic medal in shot put.

In the infield of the indoor track, Armstrong stepped onto a low platform, hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser hung the bronze medal around his neck and the Canadian anthem played.

The ceremony coincided with Sunday’s celebration of the Canadian flag’s 50th birthday. Armstrong collected one from his mother Judy and paraded the Maple Leaf in front of hundreds of people who came to cheer the country’s first Olympic throwing medal since 1912.

“To have our community come out like this, a lot of people I haven’t seen for a long, long time, it just really hits my heart,” Armstrong said. “To have it here in this facility means a lot to me.

“Justice is being done … The cheaters, there is no room for them in this game.”

“I’ve had support from the time I was nine years old in the track club.”

It wasn’t until 2013 that third place was stripped from Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus. He tested positive for a stimulant and steroids in a re-test of stored urine samples from the 2005 world track and field championships.

Armstrong finished fourth in Beijing. He missed bronze by less than a centimetre with a Canadian-record throw in the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

“It just shows if listen to your coach and you’re dedicated and you work hard, you can do it clean,” Armstrong said. “I’m a prime example of that.

“I was extremely happy with my own performance. To go to Beijing and get a new national record, to compete the best I’d ever competed on that day is very hard to do.”

Canadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong was all smiles on the day he was awarded his Beijing 2008 bronze medal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff Bassett

The Canadian Olympic Committee arranged Sunday’s ceremony and said attendance was about 1,200. COC president Marcel Aubut said he was “over the moon” to hand Armstrong what was the original medal, not a replica.

“Justice is being done. I love this too,” Aubut said. “The cheaters, there is no room for them in this game.”

Armstrong’s mother Judy said the wait has been difficult at times as the wheels of justice turned slowly.

“For him, I would say it was probably hard at times because he kept wondering in his mind ‘am I going to get it, will they give it to me?”‘ she said. “There’s so many hoops to go through.

“I had this vision in my mind I guess of him on the podium and them playing O Canada and today fulfilled that.”

A four-time Olympic gold medallist in hockey, Wickenheiser was the International Olympic Committee’s representative because she serves on the athletes’ commission. She felt for Armstrong, who wasn’t able to experience his moment of glory on that day in Beijing.

Canadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong was about 20 pounds lighter than his usual competition weight of 345 pounds. . THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff Bassett

“It’s probably a bittersweet moment for him, but I’m just happy that it happened,” she said.

It was also a day of mixed feelings for Abby Hoffman, a former Canadian Olympian who serves on the IAAF’s anti-doping committee.

“I suppose it’s kind of vindication on the one hand of the work that we do . . . we can catch people long after the fact and made amends and present medals to the right people,” Hoffman said.

“On the other hand, it’s also a great reminder we’ve got more work to do because catching people on the day and making sure competition is fair, the right medals are given to the right people at the right time, that’s the ultimate objective.”

The six-foot-four Armstrong was about 20 pounds lighter than his usual competition weight of 345 pounds. He lost some weight before undergoing elbow surgery Dec. 29.

The elbow injury hampered his performance at the 2012 Summer Games in London where he finished fifth. Armstrong hasn’t yet committed to any competitions in 2015, but he intends to compete at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Right now I’m just trying to get back into throwing shape,” he said. “My strength is coming along quite easily. It’s going to be more of a speed thing and a technical progression moving into Rio de Janeiro. I’m motivated. I’m looking forward to competing there.”

]]>OLY-ATH-Armstrong-Bronze-20150215.jpgthecanadianpressCanadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong is awarded his Beijing 2008 bronze medal by Canadian Olympic Committee member Hayley Wickenheiser on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at a ceremony in Kamloops, B.C. The medal re-allocation came more than six years after Armstrong's performance in Beijing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff BassettCanadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong was awarded his Beijing 2008 bronze medal on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at a ceremony in Kamloops, B.C. The medal re-allocation came more than six years after Armstrong's performance in Beijing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff BassettCanadian Olympian shot putter Dylan Armstrong was awarded his Beijing 2008 bronze medal on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at a ceremony in Kamloops, B.C. The medal re-allocation came more than six years after Armstrong's performance in Beijing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff BassettWorld bronze medallists Duhamel, Radford in lead after pairs short program at Four Continentshttp://o.canada.com/sports/olympic-bronze-medallist-denis-ten-takes-big-lead-after-short-program-at-four-continents
Thu, 12 Feb 2015 15:37:03 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=591010&preview_id=591010]]>SEOUL, South Korea — The perfect season continues for Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford.

Canada’s top pairs team have a commanding lead after Thursday’s short program of the Four Continents figure skating championships.

“We are really proud of our skate today, it’s an indication of how we train at home,” Duhamel said. “We weren’t 100 per cent comfortable at the start but when the music began, our training and muscle memory kicked in.”

Duhamel, from Lively, Ont., and Radford, from Balmertown, Ont., are two-time world bronze medallists and have won every competition they’ve entered this season, including the Grand Prix Final in December.

Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada perform during the pairs short program on Day 1 of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at the Mokdong Ice Rink on Feb. 12, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) []

They scored 75.67 points Thursday, recording their highest ever artistic scores for a short program.

“Our artistic score is something we are always striving to improve upon,” Duhamel said. “The best feeling is when you can keep improving as the season goes on. A good long program (Saturday) here will set us up well for the world championships.”

Chinese teams are second and third. Peng Cheng and Zhang Hao scored 69.81 points for second, followed by Sui Wenjing and Han Cong (69.19 points).

The pairs free program will be Saturday.

Kaitlin Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada perform during the ice dance short dance on Day 1 of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at the Mokdong Ice Rink on Feb. 12, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) []

Canada’s ice dance teams sit in third, fourth and fifth after the short dance. Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. are the leaders with 70.38 points, while American siblings Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani were close behind in second with 69.65 points.

“We felt great heading into the performance,” said Weaver. “We skated really well. We felt it was our best this season in terms of our interpretation and performance quality but the execution of the levels were not up to par. We’re not worried about our position and feel very confident with our free dance for (Friday).”

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier of Toronto are fourth (63.45), followed by Alexandra Paul of Midhurst, Ont., and Mitchell Islam of Barrie, Ont., in fifth (61.34).

Denis Ten of Kazakhstan performs in the men’s short program during the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul on Feb. 12, 2015. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images []

Olympic bronze medallist Denis Ten took a commanding lead after the men’s short program. The Kazakh skater scored 97.61 points, beating his former personal best of 92.51. Ten, 21, landed a quad toe loop and a triple Lutz-triple toe loop combination as he skated to “Caruso” by Lucio Dalla.

Japanese 17-year-old Shoma Uno was second with 88.90 points, completing a quad toe loop and a triple flip-triple toe loop combination in his debut at a senior international championship.

China’s Yan Han was third with a score of 87.34, despite a stumble on a quad toe loop.

Jeremy Ten of Vancouver is eighth, Liam Firus of North Vancouver, B.C., 11th and Nam Nguyen of Toronto is 14th.

The men’s free skate is Saturday.

]]>ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2015 - Day OnetheassociatedpresscanadaMeagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada perform during the pairs short program on Day 1 of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at the Mokdong Ice Rink on Feb. 12, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)Kaitlin Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada perform during the ice dance short dance on Day 1 of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships at the Mokdong Ice Rink on Feb. 12, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)Denis Ten of Kazakhstan performs in the men's short program during the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul on Feb. 12, 2015. JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty ImagesCanadian shot putter Dylan Armstrong finally getting Olympic bronze from Beijing Gameshttp://o.canada.com/sports/canadian-shot-putter-dylan-armstrong-finally-getting-olympic-bronze-from-beijing-games
Wed, 11 Feb 2015 17:49:57 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=590711&preview_id=590711]]>The moment will be out of context, but Dylan Armstrong can’t wait to have that Olympic medal around his neck.

Six and a half years to the day after just missing the podium at the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, the Canadian shot putter will receive a bronze medal Sunday in his hometown of Kamloops, B.C.

“The question I won’t miss is ‘When are you going to get your medal?”‘ Armstrong told The Canadian Press in a recent interview. “I’ll be extremely happy.”

Dylan Armstrong is the first Canadian shot putter to win an Olympic medal. ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)

Armstrong finished fourth back in 2008, just a centimetre behind bronze medallist Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus. That fourth-place finish was upgraded to third last August after Mikhnevich was banned for life for a second doping offence.

“It’s obviously the one medal that’s going to be the most important to me to have accomplished in my career,” said Armstrong, the first Canadian shot putter to win an Olympic medal.

It was important to Armstrong that the ceremony be held in Kamloops, but the six-foot-four, 306-pound athlete has left most of the other details to the Canadian Olympic Committee.

“What would be better than my hometown?” he said. “Obviously there were a lot of people in Kamloops who would have loved to come to the Olympics in 2008, but couldn’t. I thought it was the most appropriate place.”

Star hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser — a member of the IOC athletes’ commission — will present the medal.

“One of the best thrills I’ve had in my career is to bring the medal myself from Lausanne,” COC president Marcel Aubut said. “It’s one more medal from China for Canada. It’s also justice. It’s fair play, which is a value of the Olympic movement.”

“You can never replace the moment, but you make the best of it.”

Armstrong’s medal increases Canada’s overall total in Beijing to 19 — three gold, nine silver and seven bronze — and moves the country from 14th to 13th in the standings.

Sunday’s ceremony at Kamloops’ Tournament Capital Centre may be unique, but it is no substitute for standing on the Olympic podium at the Bird’s Nest Stadium alongside the best in the sport.

It also can’t replace the loss of what Armstrong estimates “would be over a million bucks for sure” in endorsements, meet appearance fees and sponsor bonuses.

“I would probably have got more lucrative endorsements and sponsorships and things like that,” he said. “I’d be in a way better financial situation for sure, right?

“I don’t like to think about the money I lost a lot. There’s nothing that can replace that. I tend not to dwell.”

What difference getting the medal on the day would have made to the Own The Podium money directed to Athletics Canada is harder to quantify. Armstrong’s medal would have been Canada’s second bronze in track and field in Beijing.

Injuries hampered Armstrong’s performance in 2012 when he finished fifth at the London Games. (Greg Southam/Postmedia News)

OTP chief executive officer Anne Merklinger says money doled out is based on future medal potential and not past performances.

“Dylan was identified as a medal potential athlete for 2012 and as a result there was significant support for Dylan and other podium potential athletes for the period of 2009 through 2012,” she said in an e-mail.

OTP funding to Athletics Canada over the four years leading into the 2012 Summer Olympics was $4.6 million, which was an increase from the $3.1 million in funding over the quadrennial prior to Beijing.

Those athletes expressed regret over missing out on that moment of triumph that can’t be recreated.

“You can never replace the moment, but you make the best of it,” the 34-year-old Armstrong said.

Dylan Armstrong has yet to commit to competitions for 2015, though he intends on participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Former Canadian Olympian Abby Hoffman serves on the anti-doping and medical commission of track and field’s international governing body. She will be in Kamloops on Sunday for the ceremony and expects to have mixed feelings.

“However fantastic this event is going to be this Sunday, it doesn’t make up for what got missed in 2008,” Hoffman said.

“It’s great to catch people down the road, but we want to have testing regimes and have prevention programs and apprehension programs and interdiction and all that kind of stuff so the right people get the medals on the day when these events happen, not a week later or a month later or in this case six and a half years later. That’s a big motivator.”

It’s the second belated medal Armstrong has been awarded due to Mikhnevich’s liftetime ban. He already has the bronze from the 2010 world championship.

Elbow problems hampered Armstrong’s performance in 2012 when he finished fifth in London. He underwent surgery on it Dec. 29 and has yet to commit to competitions in 2015, though he intends to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

His 2008 Olympic medal wasn’t won in storybook fashion, but Armstrong hopes kids will still want to see it and put their fingerprints all over it.

“That would be fun,” Armstrong said. “It’s definitely something I’d like to do and it has a big impact on youngsters.”

]]>Russia Athletics WorldsthecanadianpressBronze medallist Canada's Dylan Armstrong poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the men's shot put at the 2013 IAAF World Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on August 17, 2013. ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)Dylan ArmstrongDylan+Armstrong+19th+Commonwealth+Games+Day+XM9Cc6rEAdnlPhotos Feb 11: Top images from around the worldhttp://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-11-top-images-from-around-the-world
http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-11-top-images-from-around-the-world#respondWed, 11 Feb 2015 17:01:35 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=590687]]>The day’s best photos, as selected by editors at Postmedia News, are a stunning collection of the greatest images from around the world.

Team Alvimedica, during Leg 4 from Sanya to Auckland in Sanya, China. The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 is the 12th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, the route, spanning some 39,379 nautical miles, visits 11 ports in eleven countries (Spain, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, Brazil, United States, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and Sweden) over nine months. The Volvo Ocean Race is the world’s premier ocean yacht race for professional racing crews. (Volvo Ocean Race via Getty Images)

Science Museum employee Nicola Burghwall poses with an electronic lolly which creates phantom tastes using tiny electrical shocks to the tongue to create tastes at the push of a button, during a press preview for the forthcoming ‘Cravings: Can Your Food Control You’ exhibition at the Science Museum on February 11, 2015 in London, England. The exhibition, which runs from February 12 to January 2016, explores how your appetite is shaped by the food you eat. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Riders are seen after a fall during the fourth stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between al-Thakhira and Mesaieed (165,5 kms) on February 11, 2015. Dutch rider Niki Terpstra of the Etixx team retained the leader’s gold jersey of the Tour of Qatar after today’s fourth stage won by Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, the Katusha cyclist’s second success. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

The pack rides past a truck transporting camels during the fourth stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between al-Thakhira and Mesaieed (165,5 kms) on February 11, 2015. Dutch rider Niki Terpstra of the Etixx team retained the leader’s gold jersey of the Tour of Qatar after today’s fourth stage win by Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, the Katusha cyclist’s second success. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

Left to right, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko talk in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany are gathering for crucial talks in the hope of negotiating an end fighting between Russia-backed separatist and government forces in eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/ Mykola Lazarenko, Pool)

A humanoid robot designed and developed by Honda and named Asimo plays football for the audience at the end of the company’s presentation during the last day of the Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

Pakistani female police commandos attend a training session in Nowshera, near Peshawar Pakistan, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Authorities formed a Special Combat Unit after Taliban militants stormed a Peshawar school on Dec. 16, 2014 and massacred 150 children and teachers. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

Municipal workers remove broken tiles near the fence of Beirut’s seaside corniche which was damaged by strong and high waves in Lebanon, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. The Middle East is being hit with a storm that has brought heavy winds, rain and snow to Lebanon’s mountains. Lebanon’s weather authorities said the wind was at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Navy cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Neva River embankment in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Victory Day, marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Russia’s most important secular holiday will be celebrated on May 9. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

An Indian man prepares flatbread in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A tea seller prepares tea for laborers in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A homeless Indian reads the newspaper before sunrise in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A Pakistani man washes his rickshaw in a stream on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)

A dog lies down as its owner begs on a street nearby in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

A woman walks past a destroyed bus in Donetsk on February 11, 2015. Shelling hit a central bus station in Donetsk on February 11, 2015 and killed at least four people, according to a local official. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty Images

Planes are docked at Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport as the Four Towers are seen in the background on February 11, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Shares in state-controlled Spanish airports operator, Aena, began trading today on the Madrid stock market. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

A screen shows the latest data after shares in state-controlled Spanish airports operator, Aena, began trading on February 11, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

Media stand close to the flags of France, Russia, Germany, Ukraine and Belarus at the presidential residence in Minsk on February 11, 2015. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany are due to hold peace talks aimed at halting a 10-month war in Ukraine. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images

A Palestinian man stands amidst dust in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City during a sandstorm on February 11, 2015. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

Palestinians stand on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City during a sandstorm on February 11, 2015.MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty Images

A woman looks at a driverless vehicle known as a Lutz ‘Pathfinder’ Pod during a photocall in central London on February 11, 2015. JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty Images

A woman poses for photographers beside a prototype driverless car called a LUTZ (Low-carbon Urban Transport Zone) Pathfinder Pod, center, and a Meridian shuttle, right, during a launch event for the media near the O2 Arena in London, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

A general view of the driverless ‘Lutz Pathfinder’ pod vehicle on February 11, 2015 in London, England. A series of trials is due to start in the UK, which promises to demonstrate the potential of driverless vehicles. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Pakistani policemen demonstrate their skills during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty Images

A Pakistani policeman demonstrates a skill during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty Images

A Pakistani policeman demonstrates a skill during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani policemen demonstrate their skills during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015.Majeed/AFP/Getty Images

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/photos-feb-11-top-images-from-around-the-world/feed0coldweather.jpgpostmedianews1Team Alvimedica, during Leg 4 from Sanya to Auckland in Sanya, China. The Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 is the 12th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, the route, spanning some 39,379 nautical miles, visits 11 ports in eleven countries (Spain, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China, New Zealand, Brazil, United States, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and Sweden) over nine months. The Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier ocean yacht race for professional racing crews. (Volvo Ocean Race via Getty Images)Team Brunel, takes on a 30 degrees heel. Unstable sea conditions makes sailing uncomfortable during Leg 4 from Sanya to Auckland. (Volvo Ocean Race via Getty Images)Science Museum employee Nicola Burghwall poses with an electronic lolly which creates phantom tastes using tiny electrical shocks to the tongue to create tastes at the push of a button, during a press preview for the forthcoming 'Cravings: Can Your Food Control You' exhibition at the Science Museum on February 11, 2015 in London, England. The exhibition, which runs from February 12 to January 2016, explores how your appetite is shaped by the food you eat. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)Riders are seen after a fall during the fourth stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between al-Thakhira and Mesaieed (165,5 kms) on February 11, 2015. Dutch rider Niki Terpstra of the Etixx team retained the leader's gold jersey of the Tour of Qatar after today's fourth stage won by Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, the Katusha cyclist's second success. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)The pack rides past a truck transporting camels during the fourth stage of the 2015 Tour of Qatar, between al-Thakhira and Mesaieed (165,5 kms) on February 11, 2015. Dutch rider Niki Terpstra of the Etixx team retained the leader's gold jersey of the Tour of Qatar after today's fourth stage win by Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, the Katusha cyclist's second success. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)Left to right, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko talk in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany are gathering for crucial talks in the hope of negotiating an end fighting between Russia-backed separatist and government forces in eastern Ukraine. (AP Photo/ Mykola Lazarenko, Pool)A humanoid robot designed and developed by Honda and named Asimo plays football for the audience at the end of the company's presentation during the last day of the Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)Pakistani female police commandos attend a training session in Nowshera, near Peshawar Pakistan, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Authorities formed a Special Combat Unit after Taliban militants stormed a Peshawar school on Dec. 16, 2014 and massacred 150 children and teachers. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)Municipal workers remove broken tiles near the fence of Beirut's seaside corniche which was damaged by strong and high waves in Lebanon, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. The Middle East is being hit with a storm that has brought heavy winds, rain and snow to Lebanon's mountains. Lebanon's weather authorities said the wind was at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)Horses play on a snow covered paddock in Brunnen, southern Germany, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. (AP Photo/dpa, Karl-Josef Hildenbrand)Navy cadets march during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade at the Neva River embankment in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Victory Day, marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany, Russia's most important secular holiday will be celebrated on May 9. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)The sun sets above a villa in downtown Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)An Indian man prepares flatbread in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)A tea seller prepares tea for laborers in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)A homeless Indian reads the newspaper before sunrise in the old city area of New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)A Pakistani man washes his rickshaw in a stream on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen)A dog lies down as its owner begs on a street nearby in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)A woman walks past a destroyed bus in Donetsk on February 11, 2015. Shelling hit a central bus station in Donetsk on February 11, 2015 and killed at least four people, according to a local official. VASILY MAXIMOV/AFP/Getty ImagesA protesting farmer shouts slogans during a rally in front of the Agriculture Ministry in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)Planes are docked at Madrid Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport as the Four Towers are seen in the background on February 11, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Shares in state-controlled Spanish airports operator, Aena, began trading today on the Madrid stock market. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)A screen shows the latest data after shares in state-controlled Spanish airports operator, Aena, began trading on February 11, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)Media stand close to the flags of France, Russia, Germany, Ukraine and Belarus at the presidential residence in Minsk on February 11, 2015. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany are due to hold peace talks aimed at halting a 10-month war in Ukraine. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty ImagesA Palestinian man stands amidst dust in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City during a sandstorm on February 11, 2015. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty ImagesPalestinians stand on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City during a sandstorm on February 11, 2015.MAHMUD HAMS/AFP/Getty ImagesPeople watch high waves during a sandstorm at Tel Aviv's port, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man watches high waves during a sandstorm in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)A woman looks at a driverless vehicle known as a Lutz 'Pathfinder' Pod during a photocall in central London on February 11, 2015. JACK TAYLOR/AFP/Getty ImagesA woman poses for photographers beside a prototype driverless car called a LUTZ (Low-carbon Urban Transport Zone) Pathfinder Pod, center, and a Meridian shuttle, right, during a launch event for the media near the O2 Arena in London, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)A general view of the driverless 'Lutz Pathfinder' pod vehicle on February 11, 2015 in London, England. A series of trials is due to start in the UK, which promises to demonstrate the potential of driverless vehicles. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)Pakistani policemen demonstrate their skills during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty ImagesA Pakistani policeman demonstrates a skill during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty ImagesA Pakistani policeman demonstrates a skill during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015. Majeed/AFP/Getty ImagesPakistani policemen demonstrate their skills during a special elite police training course at a police training centre in Nowshera, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province on February 11, 2015.Majeed/AFP/Getty ImagesChina releases Canadian woman held over spying suspicions; husband still detainedhttp://o.canada.com/news/china-releases-canadian-woman-held-over-spying-suspicions-husband-still-detained
Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:30:02 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=589262&preview_id=589262]]>BEIJING — China’s Foreign Ministry says a Canadian woman detained with her husband on suspicion of stealing state secrets has been released on bail.

Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday that Julia Garratt was released while the case remains under investigation.

She and her husband Kevin were detained on Aug. 4 by the state security bureau in China’s northeastern city of Dandong, which borders North Korea.

Hong said both have been charged with stealing secrets and spying and Kevin Garratt has been moved from residential surveillance to the more serious status of criminal detention.

“Kevin Garratt and Julia Garratt are under suspicion of undermining China’s state security,” Hong said. “Competent Chinese authorities will handle the case and ensure the legal rights of the two persons according to law.”

The Vancouver couple have lived in China since 1984 and opened a popular coffee shop in Dandong in 2008.

The Canadian Embassy in Beijing referred questions about the case to spokesmen in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had discussed the plight of the Canadian couple during a visit to China last November.

Their son, Simeon, said at the time that he feared the Canadian government wasn’t putting enough pressure on the Chinese to release his parents.

The Garratts were out for dinner with friends when they were detained, with their four grown children simply told their parents were being held in an undisclosed location.

Two days later, the couple told their children, through a Canadian consular official, that they weren’t under any physical duress, but were confused and upset about the allegations.

Those allegations came just a few days after the Canadian government blamed Chinese hackers for infiltrating computers at the National Research Council of Canada, a claim Beijing vehemently denied.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa dismissed questions about the timing of the Garratts’ detention.

The couple’s children called the allegations against their parents “crazy,” noting that the pair has never had access to classified state information.

Simeon Garratt said when not serving customers, his parents spent their time helping locals practice their English and raising money for humanitarian aid sent to North Korea through a charity they helped set up.

More than half of the passengers aboard TransAsia Airways Flight GE235 were from China and the death toll was expected to rise as rescue crews cleared the mostly submerged fuselage in the Keelung River. Teams in rubber rafts clustered around the wreckage, several dozen meters (yards) from the shore.

Dramatic video clips apparently taken from cars were posted online and aired by broadcasters, showing the ATR 72 propjet as it pivoted onto its side while zooming toward a bridge over the river. In one of them, the plane rapidly fills the frame as its now-vertical wing scrapes over the road, hitting a vehicle before heading into the river.

Speculation cited in local media said the pilot may have turned sharply to follow the line of the river to avoid crashing into a high-rise residential area nearby, but Taiwan’s aviation authority said it had no evidence of that.

It was the airline’s second French-Italian-built ATR 72 to crash in the past year. Wednesday’s flight had taken off at 11:53 a.m. from Taipei’s downtown Sungshan Airport en route to the outlying Taiwanese-controlled Kinmen islands. The pilot issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff, Taiwanese civil aviation authorities said.

Emergency personnel work on top of a commercial plane after it crashed in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Taiwanese commercial flight with 58 people aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and crashed into a river in the island’s capital of Taipei on Wednesday morning. (Associated Press)

TransAsia director Peter Chen said contact with the plane was lost four minutes after takeoff, but that weather conditions were suitable for flying and the cause of the accident was unknown.

“Actually this aircraft in the accident was the newest model. It hadn’t been used for even a year,” he told a news conference.

Thirty-one passengers were from China, Taiwan’s tourism bureau said. Kinmen’s airport is a common link between Taipei and China’s Fujian province.

Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration said 23 people were confirmed dead, 15 were injured and 20 were still missing.

Wu Jun-hong, a Taipei Fire Department official who was co-ordinating the rescue, said the missing people were either still in the fuselage or had been pulled down the river.

“At the moment, things don’t look too optimistic,” Wu told reporters at the scene. “Those in the front of the plane are likely to have lost their lives.”

Rescuers could be seen pulling luggage from an open plane door to clear the fuselage.

As a drizzle fell around nightfall, military crews took portable bridges to the scene, where rescue workers were building docks for easier access to the wreckage. About 300 rescue personnel and members of the media stood along the banks of the narrow river.

Part of the freeway above it was littered with debris and was closed after the crash.

It’s too early now to speculate on whether it was an issue with the aircraft or crew,

Relatives of the victims had not reached the scene by dusk Wednesday but some were expected to arrive Thursday, including some flying from Beijing.

The plane’s wing hit a taxi on the freeway, and the driver and a passenger were injured, Chen said.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it had sent 165 people and eight boats to the riverside rescue scene, joining fire department rescue crews.

Another ATR 72 operated by the same Taipei-based airline crashed in the outlying Taiwan-controlled islands of Penghu last July 23, killing 48 at the end of a typhoon for reasons that are still under investigation.

ATR, a French-Italian consortium based in Toulouse, France, said it was sending a team to Taiwan to help in the investigation.

Emergency personnel approach a commercial plane after it crashed in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Taiwanese commercial flight with 58 people aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and crashed into a river in the island’s capital of Taipei on Wednesday morning. (Associated Press) []

The ATR 72-600 that crashed Wednesday is manufacturer’s best plane model, and the pilot had 4,900 hours of flying experience, said Lin Chih-ming of the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

Greg Walden, Asia managing editor at Flightglobal magazine in Singapore, said the ATR 72-600 is the latest iteration of one of the most popular turboprop planes in the world, particularly favoured for regional short-hop flights in Asia.

It has a generally good reputation for safety and reliability and is known among airlines for being cheap and efficient to operate.

While it’s too early to say what caused the crash, engine trouble or weight shifting were unlikely to be causes, Waldron said. Other possible factors include pilot error, weather or freak incidents such as bird strikes.

“It’s too early now to speculate on whether it was an issue with the aircraft or crew,” Waldron said.

The accessibility of the crash site should allow for a swift investigation, and an initial report should be available within about a month, Waldron said.

[]

]]>http://o.canada.com/news/taiwanese-flight-with-58-people-aboard-crashes-into-taipei-river-at-least-19-killed/feed2plane11_360theassociatedpresscanadaEmergency personnel work on top of a commercial plane after it crashed in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Taiwanese commercial flight with 58 people aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and crashed into a river in the island's capital of Taipei on Wednesday morning. (AP Photo) TAIWAN OUTEmergency personnel approach a commercial plane after it crashed in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. The Taiwanese commercial flight with 58 people aboard clipped a bridge shortly after takeoff and crashed into a river in the island's capital of Taipei on Wednesday morning. (Associated Press)taiwan_crash_webHong Kongers march for democracy in first major rally since mass street protests last yearhttp://o.canada.com/news/hong-kongers-march-for-democracy-in-first-major-rally-since-mass-street-protests-last-year
Sun, 01 Feb 2015 14:48:25 +0000https://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com?p=587200&preview_id=587200]]>HONG KONG — Thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched through Hong Kong’s streets Sunday in the first major rally since mass protests last year.

Chanting “No fake universal suffrage. I want genuine universal suffrage,” the demonstrators held yellow umbrellas, which became a symbol of the earlier protests when the activists wielded them as a defence against police using pepper spray.

Student leader Alex Chow, center, carries a banner with other students during a democracy march to Central, demanding for universal suffrage in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. The banner reads: “Withdraw.” [AP Photo/Kin Cheung]

The event appeared orderly and peaceful throughout the day. The annual march usually is held on Jan. 1 but was delayed for a month this year to coincide with the government’s second round of consultations on electoral reform.

The demonstrators oppose the Chinese government’s decision that candidates in the 2017 election for Hong Kong chief executive will be vetted by a largely Beijing-controlled nominating committee.

The final election plan must be approved by a two-thirds majority in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council before submitting to authorities in Beijing. But pro-democracy legislators, who hold 40 per cent of the seats, have said they would veto the screening proposal.

“This is pseudo universal suffrage, we do not have the rights to elect who we want,” said protester Julia Choi.

Organizers said 13,000 people participated, while police said they counted 8,000 at the march’s peak.

Police had raised no objection to the march, though the formal notice the department issued last weekend stressed that organizers should ensure none of the marchers tried to occupy streets as happened during the mass protests last year.

]]>Hong-Kong-Democracy-Protest.jpgtheassociatedpresscanadaStudent leader Alex Chow, center, carries a banner with other students during a democracy march to Central, demanding for universal suffrage in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. The march is the first large-scale demonstration since the Occupy Central protest ended last year as the government started a second round of public consultation on democratic reform. The banner reads: "Withdraw."Thousands of pro-democracy activists take part in a democracy march to Central, demanding for universal suffrage in Hong Kong Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. The march is the first large-scale demonstration since the Occupy Central protest ended last year as the government started a second round of public consultation on democratic reform. The yellow banners read: "I want genuine universal suffrage."Vista’s full list of departures for 2016http://o.canada.com/travel/vistas-full-list-of-departures-for-2016
http://o.canada.com/travel/vistas-full-list-of-departures-for-2016#respondFri, 30 Jan 2015 08:00:27 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=585505]]>A couple of years ago when Carnival stopped cruising in Europe, there was a hint that this probably wasn’t forever. After last week’s press conference in New York with the details if 2016’s Carnival Vista, we have the first European schedule.

Carnival gets the keys to the Vista from the Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy next spring, when it will embark on an inaugural European cruise – a 13-day voyage departing Trieste, Italy, on May 1 and arriving Barcelona.

By the way, there’s still space available.

That’s the start of 18 European departures from Barcelona and Athens through October 21, 2016.

So that you don’t have to go hunting for them, here are all the cruises, with their dates and itineraries.

October 21 (Barcelona to New York) – Carnival Vista’s inaugural European season will conclude with a 13-day Transatlantic crossing departing Barcelona and arriving New York November 3, 2016 after calls at Gibraltar, Ponta Delgada, and Bermuda (overnight), followed by a series of voyages from the Big Apple

One thing Carnival said we would know soon is the homeport after those series of sailings in New York. With China hot-hot-hot on cruising, could Carnival’s newest and biggest ship be heading there?

We will know soon.

If I had to pick one of the European cruises, I like the Barcelona-to-Athens 10-day itineraries.

Nice to see Carnival back in Europe, and with some interesting ports .

For a weekly newsletter from Ports and Bows with lots of cruise information and the best deals that we can find, click here to sign up: www.canada.com/newsletter.

YANGSHUO, China — A search for iconic China often takes tourists to the Great Wall in the north and the archaeological pits of the terra-cotta warriors in the nation’s midsection.

But for a glimpse of China’s natural beauty, take the trip south to the city of Guilin, and board a boat for a four-hour cruise down the Li River to the picturesque city of Yangshuo, nestled amid the limestone karst hills known as the gumdrop mountains.

It’s a trip into rural China, past bamboo rafts, fishermen who use trained cormorant birds to make their catch, and farmers tending rice paddies with the help of water buffalo.

The trip starts in Guilin, a popular and growing tourist destination, with new roads, hotels and other buildings under construction.

One of the city’s best attractions is Elephant Trunk Park on the west bank of the Li, named for its rock formation that with some imagination resembles an elephant drinking from the river. On the top of the hill is a pagoda that dates back to the Ming dynasty.

The park is a popular spot for young couples who stroll along the river and add their padlocks or wish ribbons, signifying lasting love, to an ornamented tree. Vendors set up along the riverside sell some interesting food, including fried bugs on a stick.

The government is building a canal that will allow tourists to take a boat and avoid what is a bumpy bus ride to another popular spot, Reed Flute Cave, one of several limestone caves in the region. This one features colorful, if somewhat garish, light displays on the stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as lasers that make designs on the cave’s ceiling and a bubble machine.

But the real show is the undisturbed nature of the river and surrounding hills.

The tour boats travel one way from Guilin to Yangshuo in the morning. A ticket will cost somewhere around 200 yuan, or about $32, and usually includes lunch.

Most boats are air conditioned and one of the three restrooms on board ours included a “western toilet,” for those averse to squatting.

The casual cruise includes photo-worthy scenery around virtually every bend as the boat passes landmarks such as Nine Horse Hill, where those with a good eye can find nine horses in the rock formations. (We were told former President Bill Clinton could only spot three of them.) I found six.

The guide will have passengers take out a 20 yuan note when they approach the view of Apple Hill, and compare the scenery to the depiction on the back of the bill. It’s one of the most painted scenes in Chinese art.

The guides note that the river scenes change with the weather, offering beautiful reflections on sunny days, and mist-covered mountains after a rain.

The boat passes by a scenic fishing village, waterfalls, caves, groves of bamboo, and terraced farms. Water buffalo can be seen on the riverbanks, and the tour boats share the river with traditional bamboo rafts (though some are now made from PVC piping).

Lunch is nothing to write home about, though some of the boats buy catches from the fishermen who pull up to them on the river. Ours offered the usual noodle and dumpling dishes (though you could spend a little extra and try the turtle).

Passengers disembark on Market Street in Yangshuo, where the fishermen will try to get you to pay to pose with their cormorants. The street is lined with vendors selling everything from “real fake” Rolex watches, to T-shirts, silk scarves and jade. Every price is negotiable, and bartering becomes a sport.

Bicycles or cabs can be rented in town for a drive into the countryside to the local caves, hiking trails and rice farms, some of which offer guided tours.

The farm we visited was run by two elderly brothers who opened their home and offered shots of what they called “medicine wine.” It was basically moonshine fermented in a jar filled with snakes, scorpions and other creepy crawlers. Tasty.

There is no boat back to Guilin, which is about an hour away by bus. But for those who choose to stay in Yangshuo for the evening, there is the opportunity to take in a spectacular opera-style light and music show put on by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou, the man responsible for the opening ceremony in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The 90-minute show, “Impressions Liu Sanjie,” is based on a famous movie about a local singer. It includes more than 600 performers and incorporates stories and music from four minority ethnic groups in the region. It takes place outdoors on a lake in a 3,000-seat amphitheatre surrounded by the hills, which become the backdrop for the performance.

The show, much like the region, leaves a lasting impression.

IF YOU GO …

LI RIVER CRUISE:http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangxi/guilin/li_river.htm . Tickets for the four-hour one-way cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo are sold at a terminal in Guilin and cost around $32 or 200 yuan. Guilin, a well-known tourist destination located in Guangxi province and renowned for its scenery, is easily reachable by air from Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Hong Kong and other points.

Canadian health officials announced Monday that a woman in her 50’s from B.C.’s lower mainland has tested positive for avian influenza A(H7N9), the potentially deadly virus that has infected hundreds of people in China since first emerging in humans in March 2013.

Another family member, a man, who travelled with the B.C. woman to China is believed to have been infected as well. They only developed symptoms after returning home to Canada earlier this month.

Both are recovering well and did not require hospitalization, federal health minister Rona Ambrose said during a hastily called press conference from Ottawa Monday.

Ambrose said the risk to Canadians is low, and that there is no evidence the virus transmits easily from person-to-person.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most known human infections with H7N9 resulted from exposure to infected live poultry, or contaminated environments, such as markets where poultry is sold and slaughtered.

Canada’s public health agency has notified China, WHO and other international agencies about the Canadian case, Ambrose said.

All potential contacts are being followed up, B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake said. “We are working closely with the Public Health Agency of Canada to ensure a robust and coordinated response,” Lake said.

Common symptoms included fever, cough and shortness of breath. In China, most of the infected developed severe pneumonia. There have been at least 175 confirmed deaths in China.

H7N9 influenza isn’t the same as seasonal flu that circulates every winter, stressed Dr. Gregory Taylor, Canada’s chief public health officer. H7N9 is an avian form of influenza that circulates among birds. However, this particular strain has never been found in wild or domestic birds in Canada, Taylor said.

It’s also not like H5N1 bird flu — the virus that last year infected and killed a young Alberta woman who had travelled to Beijing. H5N1 transmits more easily between birds, and between people, Taylor said.

The B.C woman with confirmed H7N9 became sick after returning to Canada on Jan. 12. Taylor said she had travelled to “various locations” in Canada. She began to feel sick on Jan. 14 and sought medical help but wasn’t sick enough to require hospitalization, Taylor said.

Officials said they’re confident the B.C. residents, who became sick within a day of each other, got sick from the same common exposure, rather than from transmitting the virus from one to the other.

Neither the man nor woman had symptoms while they were travelling. Officials said there is likely no risk to other travellers.

Both are in “self-isolation” at home. All close contacts have been identified and their health is being monitored. None of the identified contacts has developed flu-like illness. Given that, “it is extremely unlikely that we will see any additional cases here in B.C.,” said B.C. deputy provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Henry said it’s not surprising that a single case of human H7N9 infection has been imported to Canada, given the virus been circulating in China since 2013.

B.C. health officials notified the federal public health agency on Jan. 23 of that it was dealing with a potential case. A sample was sent to Canada’s national microbiology laboratory in Winnipeg on Sunday for testing. The lab confirmed the diagnosis Monday morning.

“All evidence is indicating that it is likely the individual was infected following exposure in China,” Taylor told reporters.

The woman and her male companion were visiting China as tourists. They didn’t visit poultry farms. “They did some touring of areas and villages in China where poultry are seen throughout the village but there was not a particularly high-risk exposure that we were able to identify,” Henry said.

Taylor said Canadians travelling to China should avoid high-risk areas, such as poultry farms and live animal markets, and ensure all poultry dishes, including eggs, are well cooked.

Anyone who has travelled to an infected area and becomes ill should seek medical attention, Henry said. “But call in advance, and let them know of your travel or exposure information so proper precautions can be taken.”

China will build a 7,000-kilometer high-speed rail link from Beijing to Moscow, at a cost of 1.5 trillion yuan ($300 billion CAD), Beijing’s city government said on the social networking site Weibo.

The rail line seeks to facilitate travel across Europe and Asia, Beijing’s municipal government said Jan. 21 in a post on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter. The journey from Beijing to Moscow would take “two days” on a route passing through Kazakhstan, the post said.

The proposed rail line comes as Russia’s economy struggles to recover from the fall in the price of crude oil and as relations with the U.S. and Europe deteriorate over the Ukraine conflict, and as China pushes to market its high-speed rail technology internationally.

The rail line was mooted in November, after Russia and China last year agreed on the largest natural-gas supply deal in history. Alexander Misharin, a first vice-president at state- owned OAO Russian Railways, said in a Nov. 18 interview that the plan would cost $60 billion US to reach Russia’s border, and would cut the Beijing-Moscow journey from five days to 30 hours.

In May, after more than a decade of talks, natural-gas exporter OAO Gazprom reached a $400 billion US deal with China to build a pipeline and start supplies. Misharin, in the November comments, compared the new transport network to the Suez Canal “in terms of scale and significance.”

Those comments came a month after a delegation to Moscow led by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed accords that included high-speed rail cooperation, a three-year 150 billion yuan ($29.8 billion CAD) local-currency swap deal and a double-taxation treaty.

The link to Beijing would take eight to 10 years to build, Misharin said in November.

]]>trainbloombergcanadaVideo: University of Alberta students build an igloo in their backyardhttp://o.canada.com/news/video-university-of-alberta-students-build-an-igloo-in-their-backyard
http://o.canada.com/news/video-university-of-alberta-students-build-an-igloo-in-their-backyard#respondTue, 13 Jan 2015 18:10:18 +0000http://o.canada.com/?p=576978]]>Tudor Apan got homesick one day, so he decided the best cure was to build an igloo.

“After I came to Canada two years ago, I was a bit nostalgic,” he says in the video. “I missed home, and I started looking at pictures from my childhood.”

Those pictures were of Apan, his siblings and his father building an igloo in his home country of Romania, a cultural experience he decided to share with his fellow students at the University of Alberta.

About 40 per cent of the students at I House, which stands for international house, are Canadian, with the rest coming from abroad. That means there are plenty of chances to hold these kinds of intercultural events. Apan says that students from Japan, Mongolia, Iran, Serbia, Azerbijan, German, France and China spent about 34 hours helping build the igloo.

“I wanted to try and build an igloo again,” he says. “It had been so long.”

Sinclair, from Burnaby, B.C., led the Canadian team with three goals at the four-nation competition. She also earned tournament most valuable player honours.

The Canadian captain scored on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and added the winning goal a minute later. Gu Yasha scored China’s lone goal in the 31st minute.

Christine Sinclair and the Canadian women’s team swept its three games in the competition, posting 2-1 victories over South Korea and Mexico over the last week. Mark van Manen/Postmedia News

The round-robin finale at the Shenzhen Bao’an Sports Center served as a preview for the opening game of the 2015 women’s World Cup. Canada and China will kick off that tournament June 6 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.

“It’s nice to build some momentum with the huge year ahead of us,” Sinclair said.

Canada swept its three games in the competition, posting 2-1 victories over South Korea and Mexico over the last week.

“It’s just nice to win something,” coach John Herdman said. “I think Canada has been at this tournament five times and tried before to win it and this is the first time we’ve done it. So it’s nice to win things and get that winning feeling across the team.”

Canada previously played in the tournament in 2004, 2008, 2011 and 2013.

]]>Canada women's soccer team practice (video and photo)thecanadianpressVancouver B.C. October 27, On top of their game-- Canada's Women's National Team train as they get set to host Japan (tuesday night) one of the world's most dominant women's soccer nations in the world in Vancouver on Oct. 27, 2014. The team trained in B.C. Place as they get set for their game tuesday night. Here Canada's Christine Sinclair kicks the ball. Mark van Manen/PNG Staff Photographer see Vancouver Sun Province/Sports stories /Features and WEB [PNG Merlin Archive]